BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
51 
THE SMOOTH FIELD PEPPER-WORT. (L. Smithii, Hook.) 
This species is very nearly allied to the last, and as, though the pods are generally smooth, they have 
frequently a few scales upon them, it is probably only a variety. It is, however, said to be a perennial, while 
the other is only an annual. 
THE WHITLOW PEPPER-WORT. (L. Draba, R. Brown.) 
This is probably not a true native, as it has only been found in corn-fields, in a few places in the south of 
England, where its seeds may very probably have been introduced with the corn. 
VIII.—THE WO AD TRIBE. 
Seed-pod a one-celled, and one-seeded silicle, which scarcely opens when ripe. The seeds are ovate or oblong. 
GENUS NXIV. 
THE WO AD. (Isatis, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA. 
Generic Character_ Silicula elliptical, flat, one-celled, one-seeded. Valves keeled, navicular, scarcely dehiscing. Seed pendulous, oblong. 
Flowers small, yellow. {Dec.) 
Description, &c. —There is only one species in this genus, a biennial plant with entire leaves and yellow 
flowers. The name of Isatis is supposed to be derived from a Greek word signifying to make even ; but it 
seems difficult to understand why it should be applied to this plant. 
I.—THE DYER’S WOAD. (Isatis tinctoria, Lin.) 
Synonyme. —Clastum sativum, Ray. Specific Character. —Radical leaves copiously crenate ; those of 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 97 ; 2d ed., t. 895 ; and our fig. 3, i the stem entire. Silicula abrupt, smooth, thrice as long as broad, 
in PI. 11. ! {Smith.) 
Description, &c.—The Woad is a very interesting plant, from its being said to have been used by the 
Ancient Britons, and from its having been formerly cultivated to a very considerable extent for the sake of a 
blue dye yielded by its leaves. The ancient Celtic name for the Woad was Glas, which Pliny latinised into 
Glastum, and the town of Glastonbury is said to take its name from the extensive fields of Woad formerly culti¬ 
vated in its vicinity. Since the introduction of Indigo, however, the Woad has been very little used, and is now 
rarely grown except occasionally in gardens where its flowers (which, though small, are of a golden yellow, and 
are produced in great abundance) form a rich mass of colour, which has a very fine effect when contrasted with 
the evergreens of a shrubbery. In a wild state, the Woad is generally found on the hedge-banks, and in waste 
places of corn-fields. It is a branching plant, growing about three feet high, with succulent leaves, and 
abundance of golden yellow flowers, which are produced in large, branched, terminal racemes. 
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