Seasonal Wild Flowers

Weld

Reseda luteola

Resedaceae

Dyer’s Rocket

June to September

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Weld

It grows on waste ground, disturbed ground, brownfield

sites, fields and rough grassland, especially on

calcareous soils.

It used to be cultivated for the production of flavones,

a yellow dye used by the textile industry.

Weld is a striking, native, biennial herb growing up to

1.5m.

The flowers are in long spikes, which are sometimes

branched.

Flowers are yellow-green, 4-5mm across with 4

differently lobed petals, each with a protruding claw.

There are 20 to 25 dangling stamens.

Leaves are narrow and oblong.

Upper leaves are sessile and lower leaves are stalked.

The stem is, stiff, hollow and ribbed, with a large taproot.

Weld on disturbed ground, Somerset

Weld in grassland, Lune estuary

Upper part of flower spike

Close up of flowers - lobed, clawed petals

Close-up of flowers - stamens

Leaves