Woad was grown in Europe in medieval times for its unique blue dye. Woad is a member of the Brassicaceae family of plants, which includes cabbage, mustard, and broccoli. Woad leaves were harvested, dried, and fermented to create a blue pigment that was used to dye fabrics. This dye was highly valued in medieval Europe and was used to create clothing that denoted status and wealth. However, the cultivation of woad declined as indigo became more widely available through trade with the East.