Stem

Up to 4 ft. tall; branched at top; dry plants with attached seed pods remain standing into winter

Dyer's woad flowering plant

Leaves

Lance-shaped, 1-7 in. long, bluish-green and lack hair (glabrous) with a distinct whitish mid-vein; edges (margins) are wavy to smooth, stem leaves are alternate with lobed base that clasps the stem

Dyer's woad rosette

Flower

Yellow with 4 petals; occur in clusters that give plant a flat-topped appearance
Mature seed pods dark brown to black, oblong, flattened and suspended from a small stalk; each contains a single seed

Root

Deep taproot

Other

Grows well on a broad range of sites; often infests waste areas, roadsides, rangeland, pastures and crop fields; known to occur in Elko, Humboldt and White Pine counties
Biennial, but sometimes annual or perennial; reproduces by seed
Historically cultivated for use as a blue dye and as a medicine

Control

Mow in early-flower to reduce seed production; spring tillage or digging individual plants prior to seed production can be effective
Apply 2,4-D to young, actively growing plants; apply aminocyclopyrachor, chlorsulfuron, imazapic or metsulfuronon pre- and post emergence

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Dyer's woad, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N... Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Paradise Valley Weed Control Demonstration Plots: Hoary Cress Noxious weeds are species considered detrimental or destructive, and difficult to control or eradicate. In Nevada, noxious weeds are prohibited in commerce, and state law mandates their control or management. Schultz, B. 2005, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada. B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard African mustard is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina Common crupina is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Associated Programs

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training

The Nevada Noxious Weed Education Program, Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of spreading noxious and nuisance weeds on public and private land.

Master Gardeners of Douglas County

Learn about Extension's Master Gardener Program in Douglas County, Nevada.

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Dyer's woad