Dyer’s Greenweed (Genista tinctoria) is a member of the Pea (Legume) Family and can reach a maximum height of around 1.5 meters, but typically only reaches a height of between 6 – 90 cm. The leaves can be around 2.5cm in length with attractive, yellow flowers that appear from June to September. The seed pods are black in colour and appear around October to November.
This plant is often found low to the ground with its dark green stem and bright yellow flowers which are arranged on a spike like stem. The stem itself has a woody texture, with a slightly hairy coating. This plant was once collected to be used as a yellow dye that is produced from the flowers, if combined with Woad it would produce a green colour to the dye.
Height: 10 -50cm
Flowering Time: June to Aug
Preferred Conditions: Mainly found in pastures, meadows and road sides. 