Common Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Caprifoliaceae
Other names
Garden Heliotrope
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Long-lived perennial
Native distribution
Not Native to the Finger Lakes Region, Europe and Western Asia; Naturalized Locally in Canada and Northern U.S.A.
Biocultural value
The roots contain an essential oil that acts on the central nervous system as a mild sedative. Flowers have a heavy sweet fragrance. Dried roots have been used to perfume linens.
Location
Mundy Wildflower Garden, Robison Herb Garden
Source of plant
Richters, Audry O'Connor
Description
Perennial reaching 3 1/2' to 5' in height; leaves mostly cauline, pinnatifid to pinnate with 7 to 10 pairs of oblong-ovate to lanceolate segments, entire or toothed; flowers white, pink, or lavender, very fragrant, bisexual, corolla naturally funnelform, slightly saccate near base, to 3/16" long.
USDA Hardiness Zone
3
Special characteristics
medicinal/pharmaceutical, fragrance
Status
L4|SNR|GNR