common valerian

Valeriana officinalis

Common valerian is a lovely plant with tall stems and pretty flowers. It often grows in gardens and can help people relax when used in teas or medicines.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The common valerian has tall, hollow stems and feather-like leaves. It displays clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers, typically pale pink to white, grouped at the top. This dense, fluffy bloom visually distinguishes it from many single-blossomed wildflowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyCaprifoliaceaeGenusValeriana

common valerian

Interesting facts

Ancient Greeks used valerian for many calming remedies centuries ago.

Its name "Valeriana" might mean "to be strong and healthy" in Latin!

Sometimes called "All-Heal," showing its historical value in medicine!

The powerful root scent even attracts cats, like catnip, and rats too!

Special abilities

Common valerian's roots emit a distinct, pungent scent, which may deter some pests and attract felines.

Its many tiny flowers cluster into a broad, flat-topped head, creating an efficient landing platform for pollinators.

Common valerian spreads using underground stems called rhizomes, allowing it to colonize new areas effectively.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

depends on

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

For pollination and seed production.

depends on

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

A key pollinator for its flowers.

eaten by

Valerian Pigmy Moth

Ectoedemia arcuatella

Larvae mine its leaves.

eaten by

Common Highflyer

Hydriomena furcata

Caterpillars feed on its foliage.

parasitizes

Black Bean Aphid

Aphis fabae

Feeds on its plant sap.

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Biennial

Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.