Dyer’s Greenweed

(Genista tinctoria)

Dyer's Greenweed is a classic plant of hay meadows, heaths and open woodlands. It has upright stems with loose clusters of bright yellow, pea-like flowers in summer.

Take action

Become a member

Memberships builds our community and gives us a predictable income, which lets us plan and sustain longer projects that can have a greater impact. The more members we have, the more we can do to protect the Sussex countryside and coast.

Join

Make a donation

Membership builds our community and gives us a predictable income, which lets us plan and sustain longer projects that can have a greater impact. The more members we have, the more we can do to protect the Sussex countryside and coast.

Donate

Overview

Dyer’s Greenweed is a shrubby member of the pea family and has bright yellow flowers that appear from June to August. It is an important foodplant for a range of scarce moths and other insects.

Key Facts

The leaves of Dyer’s Greenweed are dark green, small and narrow. Its flowers are bright yellow and clustered together on upright, rounded stems; they are similar in appearance to those of other pea-family members.
Dyer’s Greenweed gets its common name from its traditional use in dying fabric – it would produce a vibrant yellow colour.
Height: up to 50cm

Status

Common.

Seasonality

June to August

Discover species that call Sussex home

More than 10,000 species of plants, animals, birds, insects and invertebrates call our nature reserves home. From bats to beetles, orchids to oaks, and butterflies to birds of prey, there’s an impressive diversity of life to discover and experience across the habitats of Sussex.

Find out how we protect places for nature

Common Poppy

Sea Campion

Pepper Saxifrage

Green-winged Orchid

Common Dandelion

Groundsel

Devil’s-bit Scabious

Red Dead-nettle

Ivy

Tormentil

Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil

Join the Sussex Wildlife Trust community

Become a member today to protect nature for tomorrow

As a member, you get access to free guided nature walks, magazines about local wildlife, discounts on courses and events, and a guide to our reserves.

Individual Joint (2 adults) Family (1 or 2 adults + up to 4 children under 15)

Not quite ready to join but want to help?

Donate to help create a wilder future for nature in Sussex

Choose to give money to a specific cause, or to our work to manage local reserves, defend nature, and create wonderfully wild spaces on land and beneath the waves.

£10 £20 £30 £50