Practical
Plants

Genista tinctoria

Dyer's Greenweed

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Genista genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Genista
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed has been suggested as a possible coffee substitute[6][8]. The flower buds are pickled and used as a substitute for capers[9][8]. Used as a vegetable[2].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The twigs, leaves and flowering stems are cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, stimulant and vasoconstrictor[16][21][13][17]. The seeds are also sometimes used[16]. The plant is harvested in early summer as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use[21]. It should not be stored for more than 12 months since its active ingredients break down[14]. The powdered seeds act as a mild purgative and were at one time used to make a plaster for broken limbs[15]. A decoction of the whole plant has been used as a remedy for dropsy, rheumatism and gout[16][21][15]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh shoots[21]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism[21].

Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very good quality yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant, but especially from the flowers and young shoots[16][21][3][18][19][4][5][15]. It produces a very good quality green when mixed with woad (Isatis tinctoria)[3][14]. Alum, cream of tartar and sulphate of lime are used to fix the colour[16]. The stems can be dried and stored until the dye is required[5]. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for coarse cloth and cordage[16][5]. Plants can be used as a ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[12]. The cultivar 'Flore Pleno' is always dwarf and is more reliable than the species[12].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fibre

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway to the Mediterranean, east to the Urals, Caucasus and W. Asia
Habitat
Meadows, pastures, heaths and the edges of fields[16], especially on poor soils[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown autumn in a cold frame. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow February in a cold frame. Good germination[20]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Roots are formed in the spring[3]. Cuttings of ripe wood, 5 - 10 cm with a heel, September/October in a frame. Good percentage. Plant out the following autumn[20].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[1][3]. Prefers a rather dry soil, tolerating poor and sandy soils[14]. Prefers a lime-free soil[15]. Succeeds in acid or basic soils. A very cold-tolerant plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -35°c[11]. Resents root disturbance and should only be transplanted whilst young[3][5]. Sometimes cultivated as a dye plant, it is usually treated as a biennial for this purpose, the whole plant being harvested in the second year[4]. Plants do not require pruning, but they can be cut back as required once they have finished flowering in order to maintain shape[14]. Polymorphic, a number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[7]. A good bee plant[10]. Rabbits love eating this plant[169, K]. Cows also eat the plant, but it taints their milk[16]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  4. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

    ↩1↩2

  5. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  12. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  18. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  19. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

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  20. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  21. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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