dyer's woad

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• asp-of-Jerusalem
• dyer's woad
• Woad
• dyer’s woad

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Isatis tinctoria, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Brassicales. Finally, it is a member of the family Brassicaceae and falls under the genus Isatis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Isatis tinctoria, exhibits a specific presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends northward into the territories of Norway and Finland. Additionally, the species is documented across the islands of Great Britain. Finally, it maintains a botanical presence within the country of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Isatis tinctoria is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from lowlands starting at 100 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching up to 3000 m AMSL. It is particularly well-adapted to specific microhabitats, demonstrating a preference for dry outcrops where it can establish itself. This ability to inhabit varied elevations and specialized, arid rocky substrates suggests a high degree of environmental resilience and adaptability to diverse topographical conditions.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Dry outcrops

Life history

The life history of Isatis tinctoria is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning the plant typically completes its developmental stages over a period of two years. In its first year, it focuses on vegetative growth, establishing a robust root system and a rosette of leaves. In the second year, the plant transitions to its reproductive phase, producing flowering stalks before ultimately completing its life cycle. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it moves through its seasonal growth cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Isatis tinctoria is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, which functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, meaning it does not require external structures like vines or lianas to maintain its position. The plant features an erect shoot orientation, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Isatis tinctoria is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. Its vegetative morphology is defined by elliptic leaves that exhibit significant dimensional variability, with a mean leaf length of 9.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 20 cm. The leaf width also fluctuates, spanning from 2 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, contributing to a mean leaf size of 14.59375 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 182.55 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf size mean:

14.59375 cm²

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

182.55 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Isatis tinctoria is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in July, featuring small, yellow flowers that range in length from 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm. These flowers utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops black fruit in the form of capsules. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 1.25 cm (ranging from 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm) and a mean width of 0.35 cm (ranging from 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm). The resulting seeds are quite small, possessing a mean mass of 0.0035525 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0013 g to a maximum of 0.00564 g. Dispersal of these seeds is primarily anemochorous, meaning they are spread by the wind. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a monocarp reproductive strategy.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.3 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.25 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00564 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0035525 g

Seed mass min:

0.0013 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Isatis tinctoria has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Isatis tinctoria has 48 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tryptanthrin, Indirubin, Flavonoids, Glucosinolates, quercetin.

Tryptanthrin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemico-biological interactions
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Planta medica
5. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Indirubin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. ACS applied materials & interfaces

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytochemistry

Glucosinolates

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Planta medica

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

1,5-Anhydroglucitol

1. Journal of natural products

3-Butenyl isothiocyanate

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Isatis tinctoria has 321 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiallergic, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiallergic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Isatis tinctoria has 13 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus niger, Atopic Dermatitis, Candida albicans, analgesic, antiallergic.

Aspergillus niger

1. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry

Atopic dermatitis

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Candida albicans

1. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry

Analgesic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiallergic

1. Journal of natural products

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cold

1. Reviews on recent clinical trials

Dengue fever

1. The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale

Hyperglycemia

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Isatis tinctoria has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract ZE550, extracts, natural dye, rosette leaf extracts, water-soluble components of aerial parts.

Extract ze550

1. Planta medica

Extracts

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Natural dye

1. Cytotechnology

Rosette leaf extracts

1. Phytochemistry

Water-soluble components of aerial parts

1. The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale