Could this be Woad?

[alindsay]

Help identifying this plant please?

I thought Woad or Finchseed (Nesila paniculata).

Interestingly, I have only found the latter name given to a plant in my inherited 1975 edition of Wild Flowers by Dietmar Aichele, illustrated by Marianne Golte-Bechtle.

Has this been renamed? Can't even trace the latin name.

Is Woad widely spread in England considering we all used to adorn our bodies with its blue dye?

Any help gratefully received.



Found in South Bedfordshire.

[Hedera]

I don't think so, the seedpods are the wrong shape. We have a place near here where it grows, and I think it was hairy.

[aeshna5]

Probably Brassica rapa var campestris.

[Dorts]

Woad - Isatis tinctoria is a most distinct plant. Leaves are grey-green, lanceolate, clasping the stem with a single, broad, white, mid-rib. Flowers, when in bud are like a 'yellow sprouting broccoli'. And the seeds hang like earings.

I grew it for many years out of curiosity, and it makes a fine, tall, plant.

Not at all common, it has been found scattered around the country, but thought to be only truly wild in three places.
Dorts.

[alindsay]

Well, maybe not Woad, though the leaf is very smilar, but I agree that the flower is not right.

Can't agree that it might be Wild Turnip, Brassica rapa var campestris, as the leaf looks very different.

Can anybody shed the light on Finchseed (Nesila paniculata)..... or what else it might be?

[aeshna5]

You may not agree , but definitely looks like a Brassica to me.

[Mele]

Hi alindasy
Google gave me this link about Neslia paniculata, ball mustard, a plant of rubbish tips, provenance from grain and bird seed. That link also says it was once cultivated in the UK. Now it is of rarer occurrence as a casual.
I can't find the name 'finchseed' with 'Neslia paniculata', but guess it may be a component of seed used to feed finches?.
I've never seen it but images on Google (from reputable sources) looks different from your photo - especially the seed pods.
New plant for me so thanks for that
Mel

[alindsay]

Hi aeshna5

Is this then one of those confusing plants that has upper leaves different to lower leave, as I always though Wild Turnip looked like this



and my Finchseed or whatever, looked liked this



Still interested to know if anyone can identify what Finchweed is known as today.

[Dorts]

Alison, Nesila paniculata (Ball Mustard) as the name suggests, has round, ball-like seed-pods. It is only a very occasional stray in Britain. It is similar to your plant but stems and leaves are covered in fine bristles.

I have to agree with aeshna5 that your plant is probably a Brassica, though which I'm not sure.
Mature seed-pods and a lower leaf would help with an ID.
Dorts.

[Mele]

Think we cross posted. Hope I answered your question about the finchseed/finchweed/thing......