Weld - Reseda luteola

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Weld - Reseda luteola
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

This is a plant of waste places and scrubby areas, from the edges of cultivated fields to railway sidings. It has long, narrow spikes of small, unscented, green-yellow flowers that alternate up the stem. The wavy lance-shaped leaves are arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant. Weld produces its fruit in erect, oblong, warty capsules. Wild mignonette, which it resembles, is less than half the height of this stately plant. Both species are pollinated by bees.

Although native in some parts of the country, its range has been greatly extended by cultivation since it produces an excellent yellow dye and was grown commercially until quite recently. A local name is dyer's rocket. The other two plants traditionally used for this purpose were woad (blue) and madder (red).

Animals

Red mason bee

Foliage	Green
Flower	Yellow, June to August
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native