Annual Valerian
ExplorePlants
Annual Valerian
Centranthus calcitrapae
The Annual Valerian is a cheerful flower that blooms in bright colors like pink and red. It's a favorite among butterflies and bees, making gardens lively and fun!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Annual Valerian has slender, often branched stems reaching up to two feet, topped with clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers. These delicate blooms are typically a bright pink to purplish-red, distinguishing it from other similar roadside wildflowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyCaprifoliaceaeGenusCentranthus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
In Mediterranean regions, young Annual Valerian leaves are sometimes added to salads!
Its scientific name means 'spur-valerian,' for the small spur on its tiny flowers.
Its tiny seeds can hitch a ride on animal fur or even your clothes!
This plant is often one of the first to grow in disturbed or cleared areas.
Special abilities
Ability
Quick Sprouter
Annual Valerian can grow quickly and complete its life cycle rapidly, helping it thrive in changing environments.
Ability
Seed Sprinkler
Annual Valerian produces many small seeds that scatter widely, ensuring new plants can sprout far and wide.
Ability
Hardy Rooter
Annual Valerian has roots that can grip and grow even in poor or rocky soils, letting it colonize tough spots.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.6 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
pollinates
Painted Lady butterfly
Vanessa cardui
Feeds on nectar from its small blooms.
eaten by
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
May feed on the small, ripe seeds.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or picking flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Annual Valerian?
10-60 cm
How wide does Annual Valerian spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Annual Valerian?
0.3-0.6 cm
When does Annual Valerian bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is Annual Valerian edible?
No
Is Annual Valerian toxic?
None
What is Annual Valerian's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Annual Valerian pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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