Dyer's Greenweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• dyer's broom
• dyer's greenweed
• dyeweed
• woadwaxen
• woodwaxen
• Dyer’s Greenweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cytisus tinctorius
• Corniola tinctoria
• Genistoides tinctoria
• Spartium tinctorium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Genista tinctoria, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Genista.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern and Middle Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Great Britain. Its range also extends further north to include the countries of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Middle Europe, specifically in Austria. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Genista tinctoria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Genista tinctoria is defined by its preference for specific montane environments, typically thriving within deciduous woods and river valleys. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1900 m AMSL to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. By inhabiting these river valleys and woodland settings, the plant benefits from the specific moisture regimes and light availability characteristic of these transitional ecosystems within its highland range.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1900 m AMSL

Habitat :

deciduous woods and river valleys

Life history

The life history of Genista tinctoria is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in its ecological niche across multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the plant's buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or ground cover. This growth habit is consistent across its various life form designations, specifically identifying it as a chamaephyte within the broader botanical classifications. Furthermore, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its foliage throughout the year to support its long-term survival and physiological processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Genista tinctoria is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than acting as a vine or liana. In terms of stature, its height is variable, with a minimum height of 0.2 m, a maximum height of 2 m, and an average plant height of approximately 0.7665 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.7665 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Genista tinctoria is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant possesses the specialized ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen, a critical physiological adaptation for nutrient acquisition. The foliar morphology exhibits a mean leaf width of 1.5 cm (with minimum and maximum values both consistently at 1.5 cm) and a maximum leaf length of 3.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 1.3469 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 180.82 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its overall resource investment in photosynthetic tissue.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.3469 cm²

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

180.82 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Genista tinctoria is characterized by a sexual cycle that relies on biotic pollination, specifically involving insects such as bees. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August, during which the plant undergoes pollination through a biotic syndrome. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. This capsule is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to facilitate seed dispersal. The dispersal syndrome is classified as autochorous, where the plant utilizes internal mechanisms to release its seeds. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0044945 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00429 g to a maximum of 0.0081 g. Furthermore, there is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this species, as it relies entirely on its sexual reproductive processes.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0081 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0044945 g

Seed mass min:

0.00429 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Genista tinctoria has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CYTISINE, ANAGYRINE, EO, Genistin, Lupanine.

CYTISINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxins

ANAGYRINE

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Genistin

1. Dr. Duke

Lupanine

1. Dr. Duke

Luteolin 5-glucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Luteolin 7-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Dr. Duke

N-Methylcytisine

1. Toxins

N-methyl-cytisine

1. Dr. Duke

Phytoestrogens

1. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.)

Activities

Genista tinctoria has 121 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiRSV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antialcoholic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke