Valerianella locusta (L.) Lat.
cornsalad (Lewiston cornsalad)
Caprifoliaceae (Valerian family)
(Previously in Valerianaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jim Riley     (Photo ID #27862)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Valerianella locusta
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Species Information

General:
Annual herb from a taproot; stems ascending to erect, solitary, simple to branched, sparsely bristly-hairy, 10-40 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves few, spoon-shaped, soon deciduous; stem leaves opposite, lowermost widely lanceolate with stalks, others stalkless and more oblong, entire or somewhat irregularly toothed on uppermost leaves, 1-7 cm long, 3-18 mm wide, coarsely fringed and short-hairy.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of several terminal flowers; corollas white, 1.5-2 mm long, lobed, the lobes bluish, about equal to the tube; calyces usually lacking; stamens 3.
Fruits:
Achenes, 2-4 mm long, 3-chambered, 2 chambers sterile, the fertile chamber bearing a thick, corky mass on the back.

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 woodlands, meadows, roadsides, fields and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in S BC; introduced from Eurasia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Valerianella olitoria (L.) Pollich