Genista tinctoria Dyer's greenweed (Leguminosae) Deciduous shrub

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Genista tinctoria
Dyer's greenweed
Deciduous shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Genista tinctoria plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Dyer's greenweed.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Genista tinctoria
Common Name:  Dyer's greenweed
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Meadows, pastures, heaths and the edges of fields[4], especially on poor soils[11].

General Uses: A very good quality yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant, but especially from the flowers and young shoots[4, 9, 11, 57, 66, 141, 169, 244]. It produces a very good quality green when mixed with woad (Isatis tinctoria)[11, 238]. Alum, cream of tartar and sulphate of lime are used to fix the colour[4]. The stems can be dried and stored until the dye is required[169]. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for coarse cloth and cordage[4, 169]. Plants can be used as a ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[208]. The cultivar 'Flore Pleno' is always dwarf and is more reliable than the species[208].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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