Common Valerian
Common Valerian
Partially-opened flowerhead
Close-up of flowers, 3 stigmas, 3 stamens
Fruiting flowerhead
Feathery pappuses
Sessile upper leaves
Stalked lower leaves
Valeriana officinalis
Valerian
Caprifoliaceae
June to August
It is found throughout the country except for a few parts in
the East.
See the BSBI distribution map for Common Valerian
It is found in a range of woodland and grassland habitats.
Subsp. sambucifolia grows in wet grassland, woodland and
marshes, and by water, such as canals, streams and
ditches.
Subsp. collina grows in dry, calcareous grasslands,
hedgebanks and open woodland in central and southern
areas.
Common Valerian is a robust, native, perennial herb
growing up to 2m.
The flower heads are pale pink and made up of large
numbers of flowers.
Individual flowers are up to 5mm with 5 pink petals
which are fused to form a corolla tube.
There are 3 stamens and 3 stigmas.
The upper leaves are almost sessile and the lower
ones are stalked.
Both are pinnate, pointed and toothed.
Common Valerian it used in herbal medicine, mainly
as a sedative.
Previous page: Common Toadflax
Next page: Corky-fruited Water-dropwort
Common Valerian
Partially-opened flowerhead
Close-up of flowers, 3 stigmas, 3 stamens
Fruiting flowerhead
Feathery pappuses
Sessile upper leaves
Stalked lower leaves
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