Valeriana dioica
Caprifoliaceae
April to June
It is found throughout the country except for parts of the
far Southwest, the Southeast, Suffolk and the East
Midlands.
See the BSBI distribution map for Marsh Valerian
Marsh Valerian grows in calcareous, marshy grassland,
willow bogs and wet alder woodland.
It is a native, stoloniferous, perennial herb, growing
up to 40cm.
It is dioecious with the male and female flowers on
separate
plants.
The flowers are in a flowerhead and range from
white to pink.
They have 5 petals and a flower tube.
Male flowers are bigger at up to 6mm and have 3
stamens.
Female flowers are up to 4mm and have 3 stigmas.
Lower leaves are pinnate with biggish terminal
lobes.
Upper leaves are also pinnate but narrower.
The stems are erect and square in cross section.
Previous page: Marsh Horsetail
Next page: Marsh Violet
Male plant, West Dorset
Male flowers, protruding purple anthers
Close-up of male flowers - 3 stamens
Upper leaves of male plant
Lower leaves of male plant
Female plants
Flowerhead of female plant, protruding stigmas
Close-up of female flowers - 3 stigmas
Side view of female flower tubes with stigmas
Upper leaves of female plant, square stem
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