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Reseda luteola - L.

Common Name Weld, Dyer's Rocket
Family Resedaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Disturbed ground, arable land, walls etc, especially on calcareous soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Reseda luteola Weld, Dyer


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tigerente
Reseda luteola Weld, Dyer

 

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Summary

A common weed in North America Reseda luteola grows best in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils, in a sunny or semi-shaded position. A high-quality yellow dye is made from the seed. Mixed with the blue from woad (Isatis tinctoria) it produces greens such as Lincoln green. It has fallen into disuse with modern chemical dyes. Reseda luteola also has mild narcotic medicinal uses. Common names include dyer's rocket, dyer's weed, weld, woold, and yellow weed.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Reseda luteola is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Narcotic

Narcotic (mild).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Oil

A deep yellow dye is obtained from the plant, it is of very good quality[17, 46, 74]. The plant is harvested as the last flowers fade[115]. Most of the dye is found in the seed[115]. An oil is obtained from the seed, used in lighting[100].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil in a sunny position or in some shade if the summers are long and hot[200]. At one time this plant was commonly cultivated for the dye obtained from the leaves and seed but with the advent of chemical dyes it has fallen into disuse[1, 17, 46]. A good plant for bees and butterflies[200]. Plants dislike root disturbance, they can be transplanted but care must be taken not to break the tap root[169].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in the spring and only just cover the seed. An autumn sowing usually succeeds in areas where winter temperatures do not fall below about -10°c[200]. The seed germinates in the autumn in the wild.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Common names include dyer's rocket, dyer's weed, weld, woold, and yellow weed.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Georgia TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan EUROPE: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), Portugal AFRICA: Egypt, Libya, Morocco

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Reseda luteaWild Mignonette, Yellow mignonetteBiennial/Perennial0.8 0-0  LMHSNM10 
Reseda odorataMignonette, Garden mignonetteAnnual/Perennial0.5 0-0  LMHSNM012
Reseda phyteumaRampion mignonetteAnnual/Biennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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