Valeriana officinalis L.
garden heliotrope (common valerian; garden valerian)
Caprifoliaceae (Valerian family)
(Previously in Valerianaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Terry Finch     (Photo ID #66335)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Valeriana officinalis
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a branched stem-base with fibrous roots; stems erect, clump-forming, fleshy, 60-100 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves lanceolate, pinnately divided into 8-21 leaflets with pointed tips, stalked, lower leaf surfaces hairy; stem leaves opposite, similar, not much reduced upwards, becoming short stalked upwards.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a corymbose, open cyme with numerous flowers; corollas pinkish-white, 4 mm long, lobed, the lobes 1 mm long; calyces with feathery segments.
Fruits:
Achenes, lance-oblong, 4.5-5 mm long, smooth.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry roadsides and disturbed sites; rare on S Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland; introduced from Eurasia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia