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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
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 :
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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