Common Name: Dyer's Greenweed

General Information

Genista tinctoria is a very variable, deciduous shrub. In its typical form, it is a low-growing, often semi-prostrate shrub with creeping roots - producing a cluster of stems usually no more than 10cm tall in the wild but up to 60cm in cultivation. At the other end of the scale is a form previously known as Genista virgata - this is an altogether bigger and stronger-growing, erect shrub that can reach 90 - 150cm tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated as a dye and medicinal plant and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[, ]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Most of Europe excluding the far north and Portugal, east to Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, Iran and Afghanistan

Habitat

Meadows, pastures, heaths and the edges of fields[], especially on poor soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.60 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Genista tinctoria is a very cold-tolerant plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -35°c when dormant[].
Easily grown in a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[, ]. Prefers a rather dry soil, tolerating poor and sandy soils[]. Prefers a lime-free soil[]. Succeeds in acid or basic soils.
Resents root disturbance and should only be transplanted whilst young[, ].
Whenever possible, genistas should be raised from seed, as plants so obtained are usually healthier and longer-lived than cuttings[].
Plants do not usually resprout well if cut back into old wood, older plants can be best kept more compact by lightly cutting back the young growth after flowering. The taller species are all improved by shortening back several times in the young state in order to induce a bushy habit[].
When cultivated as a dye plant, it is usually treated as a biennial for this purpose, the whole plant being harvested in the second year[].
Plants do not require pruning, but they can be cut back as required once they have finished flowering in order to maintain shape[].
Polymorphic, a number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[].
A good bee plant[]. Rabbits love eating this plant[, ]. Cows also eat the plant, but it taints their milk[].
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[].

Edible Uses

The seed has been suggested as a possible coffee substitute[, ].

The flower buds are pickled and used as a substitute for capers[, ]. Used as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

The twigs, leaves and flowering stems are cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, stimulant and vasoconstrictor[, , , ]. The seeds are also sometimes used[]. The plant is harvested in early summer as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use[]. It should not be stored for more than 12 months since its active ingredients break down[].

The powdered seeds act as a mild purgative and were at one time used to make a plaster for broken limbs[].

A decoction of the whole plant has been used as a remedy for dropsy, rheumatism and gout[, , ].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh shoots[]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used as a ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[]. The cultivar 'Flore Pleno' is always dwarf and is more reliable than the species[].

Other Uses

A very good quality yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant, but especially from the flowers and young shoots[, , , , , , , ]. It produces a very good quality green when mixed with woad (Isatis tinctoria)[, ]. Alum, cream of tartar and sulphate of lime are used as mordants to fix the colour[]. The stems can be dried and stored until the dye is required[].

A fibre obtained from the stems is used for coarse cloth and cordage[, ].

Propagation

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 late winter in a cold frame. Good germination[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, taken in mid to late summer, placed in very sandy soil in a frame. Roots are usually produced in the spring[].
Cuttings of ripe wood, 5 - 10 cm with a heel, early autumn in a frame. Good percentage. Plant out the following autumn[].