Dyer's Woad

One of my interests is dyeing with natural plants, and a goal is to eventually create an indigo vat in the backyard. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get my hands on indigo plants. I have been lucky though to have found that on the west coast, we have an abundance of dyer's woad, which appears to have been imported from Europe in the 1700's. Dyer's Woad can be used as a dye plant, though not as concentrated as the actual indigo plant, with enough, you can use it to start a vat! Apparently there is dyer's woad throughout the Santa Monica mountains, and it's considered a weed! I'm hoping that when I go on my hiking trip with Beth I'll be able to spot some!