# Valerian (*Valerianaceae*)

Valerian is a fragrant plant with pretty pink or white flowers. It is known for its calming scent and is loved by butterflies and bees.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Valerian](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/GardenValerian.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GardenValerian.jpg)

## Appearance

The Valerian has tall, upright stems reaching up to 2 meters, topped with dense clusters of tiny, fragrant white or pale pink flowers. Its leaves are deeply divided into many toothed leaflets, creating a feathery appearance distinct from simpler-leaved garden plants.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Streptophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Dipsacales
- **Family:** Valerianaceae

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Greeks used Valerian as a perfume and medicine.
- Cats go wild for Valerian's smell, much like catnip!
- Its name comes from the Latin "valere," meaning "to be strong."
- Valerian was once hung in homes to ward off lightning!

## Special abilities

- **Scent Beacon:** Valerian has a strong, unique scent from its flowers that acts like a beacon, helping nocturnal moths find it in the dark to spread its pollen.
- **Soothing Roots:** Valerian can produce special compounds in its roots that help calm animals and humans, making it famous for its relaxing properties.
- **Underground Spreader:** Valerian has creeping rhizomes (underground stems) that help it spread and grow new plants nearby, even without seeds, creating strong colonies.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-200 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Convolvulus Hawk-moth (*Agrius convolvuli*) — Attracted by strong night-time floral scent.
- **Pollinates:** Painted Lady butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — Feeds on nectar from the abundant flowers.
- **Eaten by:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — May browse on leaves and young stems.

## Traits

- [Perennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/perennial): Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically returning to grow and bloom each year from their roots.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at Valerian plants but avoid picking or eating them without adult supervision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Valerian?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Valerian?

100-200 cm

### How wide does Valerian spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Valerian?

0.2-0.5 cm

### When does Valerian bloom?

Summer

### Is Valerian edible?

Yes

### Is Valerian toxic?

Mild

### What is Valerian's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Valerian: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/valerian)