COMMON VALERIAN
(Valeriana officinalis)
- Name and Family
- History
- Identification Guide
- What it does in the ecosystem
- Management
- Map
- Image Gallery
- References
Name and Family
Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
History
Coming soon.
Identification Guide
Here are some key features that may help to positively identify Common Valerian:
- Grows to 1.5 – 5ft tall
- Leaves are compound and pinnately divided; leaflets are long with serrated edges, hairy underneath, with 5-25 leaflets per leaf
- Stems are thick, fleshy, and ridged
- Flowers are white or pale pink, forming in tight clusters at the top of the plant in 2-5 umbrella-shaped umbels, fragrant – very sweet smelling
- Blooms June – August
- Fruit are lance-shaped, small (0.1 inch), and contain many powdery seeds
- Roots are fibrous; small, white, fleshy rhizomes have a pungent odour
- Common Valerian spread vigorously by self-seeding and aerial stolons
- Look-alikes include: bulbous water hemlock (native), woodland angelica (invasive)
What it does in the ecosystem
Common Valerian grows in moist soils, along stream banks, in wet meadows, fens, and roadside ditches. It can also grow in dryer conditions, and will tolerate some shade.
Management
Coming soon.
Map
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Image Gallery










References
Coming soon.