Washington Flora Checklist
A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Washington State
Hosted by the University of Washington Herbarium
 

Checklist » Resedaceae » Reseda luteola

Reseda luteola L. [FNA7, H&C]
Resedaceae
yellow dye, weld, Dyer's rocket

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Voucher:Not at WTU; WS?

Notes: WA record based on report by Richard Old.

FNA7: "Reseda luteola is a traditional Old World dye plant, used since Roman times. It contains a high amount of the flavonoid luteolin, which yields one of the most brilliant yellow dyes. When combined with woad (Isatis tinctoria, Brassicaceae), it yields "Saxon Green." In the nineteenth century R. luteola was widely growing, which favored its spreading through many parts of the world; today, it has fallen into disuse. Its potential as a crop for natural dyeing of textiles is being re-evaluated. It is also grown as an ornamental; the appealing rosettes of yellowish green leaves acquire a reddish blush in cool weather."

Literature:
(none)
Photo © Greg Keighery
(from WTU Image Collection)

Taxon treatment authored by Fred Weinmann; last updated 4/13/2010 by David Giblin
Synonyms
(none)




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