Largeflower Valerian
ExplorePlants
Largeflower Valerian
valeriana pauciflora
The Largeflower Valerian is a beautiful plant with large, colorful flowers that attract many pollinators. Kids will love spotting this plant in gardens and wild areas where it thrives!
Habitat: Meadows, gardens, and sunny areas.
Appearance
The Largeflower Valerian has distinctive tubular flowers, typically pinkish-white, which are notably larger than many other valerian species. Its deep green leaves are often deeply lobed, giving it a unique texture in the shaded forest understory.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyCaprifoliaceaeGenusValeriana
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
5
Interesting facts
Its 'large flowers' are actually one of the biggest in the entire Valerian family!
The name 'Valerian' comes from a Latin word meaning 'to be strong or healthy'!
This plant prefers to grow where the ground stays cool and damp, like near streams.
You can tell it's a 'pauciflora' because it usually has just a few flowers per stem!
Special abilities
Ability
Scent Signal
Largeflower Valerian can release a unique scent from its flowers to attract long-tongued insects for pollination, helping it reproduce.
Ability
Shade Master
Largeflower Valerian has adapted to thrive in low-light, moist forest environments, making it a powerful understory plant.
Ability
Underground Network
Largeflower Valerian can spread using underground rhizomes, helping it form small colonies and secure its place.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Flower Size
- 1.5-2.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from its tubular flowers.
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
Visits flowers for nectar, aiding in plant reproduction.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer may browse its foliage, especially new growth.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Largeflower Valerian?
The easiest way to identify Largeflower Valerian is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Largeflower Valerian?
30-90 cm
How big are the flowers on Largeflower Valerian?
1.5-2.5 cm
When does Largeflower Valerian bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Largeflower Valerian edible?
No
Is Largeflower Valerian toxic?
Mild
What is Largeflower Valerian's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Largeflower Valerian pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
May 6, 2026
Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preservesi
Photo attribution
(c) Anna Hess, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves
You might spot Large White Trillium and Sharp-Lobed Hepatica.
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Kentucky, US
Knob Creek Farm
You might spot Virginia Bluebells and Tall Bellflower.
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Park21 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Olympia State Forest
You might spot Eastern Box Turtle, Gray Ratsnake, and Dekay's Brownsnake.
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Zoo30 sightings10 species
Maryland, US
Plumpton Park Zoo
You might spot Giraffes, Tiger, and White Tiger.
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Park0 sightings7 species
Virginia, US
Holly Knoll Park
You might spot Late Boneset, Fortune's Spindle, and Largeflower Valerian.
View guide →
