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

Stem

  • Up to 4 ft. tall; branched at top; dry plants with attached seed pods remain standing into winter
Photo of dyer's woad
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 
Photo of dyer's woad rosette
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 
Photo of dyer's woad plant
 

Root

  • Deep taproot
Photo of dyer's woad next to a river.
 

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

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