Isatis tinctoria Isatis tinctoria is a perennial/ biennial herb growing to 1.5 m height. Called also dyer's woad, glastum or woad, it has entire and oblong-lanceolate leaves. The hermaphrodite flowers have 4 yellow petals and 6 stamens. The fruit is a 1-seeded silique. The leaves and roots of this plant are used in traditional medicine and also to extract a blue dye. Datasheet Common Namewoad/ dyer's woad/ glastum Botanical nameIsatis tinctoria FamilyBrassicaceae Life CyclePerennial, BiennialFoliageEvergreenBasic ColouryellowHeight0.6 -> 1.5 mHabitatwastelands, rockeries and lawns Altitude2000 mBloom TimeMay -> JunePlant TypeHerb, MedicinalFruit TypeSiliquedifferent tolerancesTell usUsed PartsWhole plantPlant UsesMedicine, Dye, TeaActive substancesTryptanthrin,Hydroxycinnamic acid,IndirubinUSDA Zone4 (-35), 5 (-29), 6 (-23), 7 (-17), 8 (-12), 9 (-7), 10 (-1)Sun Exposurefull sunSoil pHAcidic, Alkaline, NeutralSoil MoistureDry, MoistSoil Type Sandy, Silty, Clayey, StonyPropagationby seeds / by sowing, Self sowsGerminationTell us Pests/ DiseasesTell us Open Next Page To See More Photos. Isatis tinctoria Isatis tinctoria