Sitka valerian

Valeriana sitchensis

Sitka valerian is a lovely plant that grows in cool, moist places. It has pretty clusters of white flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making it a special part of nature's garden.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Sitka valerian has tall, often reddish stems topped with dense clusters of tiny, fragrant white to pale pink flowers. Its large, deeply divided leaves grow mostly at the base, creating a bushy mound of foliage.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyCaprifoliaceaeGenusValeriana

Sitka valerian

Interesting facts

It stores energy in large roots to sprout back every spring!

Its flower scent can smell like old socks or delightfully sweet!

People use its roots to make calming herbal teas!

This tough plant can grow on rocky slopes high in the mountains!

Special abilities

Sitka valerian has strongly fragrant flowers that attract many different insect pollinators.

Its tough root system helps Sitka valerian anchor firmly on slopes and withstand strong winds.

Sitka valerian can thrive in cool, damp mountain meadows by efficiently absorbing water.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Two-spotted Bumble Bee

Bombus bifarius

Collects nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Feeds on flower nectar.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Browses on the plant's foliage.

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.

Cluster Flower

Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.

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.