Valeriana officinalis

This herbaceous perennial plant is 1½-4' tall and sparingly branched. Both basal and cauline leaves are produced that are similar in appearance. The central stem of each plant is light green (less often dark red), stout, terete, finely ribbed, and either glabrous or pubescent; the interior of this stem is hollow. Pairs of opposite leaves occur primarily along the lower one-half of each stem; they are widely spreading. These leaves are odd-pinnate with 4-9 pairs of sessile leaflets and a terminal leaflet (alternately, the leaves could be described as pinnatifid with 4-9 pairs of deep lobes and a terminal lobe); the leaves are up to 8" long. The leaflets are linear-lanceolate to lanceolate-oblong in shape with margins that are either smooth or sparingly dentate toward their tips. The upper leaflet surface is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is more pale and either glabrous or slightly hairy. The rachis (central stalk) of each leaf is primarily white with winged margins that are green. The lower and basal leaves have longer petioles than the upper leaves; the latter are sometimes sessile. The central stem terminates in one or more flat-topped panicles of flowers about 2-5" across. On a robust plant, stalks of smaller flat-topped panicles may be produced from the axils of 1-2 pairs of upper leaves. The peduncles and pedicels of these panicles are light green (less often dark red) and either glabrous or pubescent. Individual trumpet-shaped flowers are about 4 mm. (3/16" ) long, consisting of a light pink or white corolla with 5 spreading lobes, a short green calyx with 5 teeth, 3 stamens, and a pistil with a style that is tripartite at its tip. The blooming period occurs during the summer for a month or two; the flowers are fragrant. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by achenes with feathery hairs. The achenes are about 4 mm. (3/16") long, lanceoloid in shape, and slightly flattened; they are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Colonies of clonal plants are sometimes produced by the rhizomes.

The non-native Garden Valerian has naturalized in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). It was introduced into North America from Europe as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Habitats consist of soggy thickets and meadows, fens, and roadside ditches. So far, Garden Valerian has not been a problem in Illinois, although in the northeastern states it appears to be more abundant and aggressive, possibly because of the cooler climate and more abundant rainfall in these states.

Valeriana fauriei var. leiocarpa (Kitag.) Kitag.:
China (Asia)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Valeriana officinalis L.:
Canada (North America)
Japan (Asia)
Russian Federation (Asia)
United States (North America)
China (Asia)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

The non-native Garden Valerian has naturalized in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). It was introduced into North America from Europe as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Habitats consist of soggy thickets and meadows, fens, and roadside ditches. So far, Garden Valerian has not been a problem in Illinois, although in the northeastern states it appears to be more abundant and aggressive, possibly because of the cooler climate and more abundant rainfall in these states.

According to Müller (1873/1883), the nectar and pollen of the flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Halictid bees, Dance flies (Empididae), flower flies (Syrphidae), Muscid flies, blow flies (Calliphoridae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), and thick-headed flies (Conopidae). The flowers also attract skippers and butterflies during the day (personal observation), and perhaps moths at night. Because of its bitter taste and other properties, the foliage of Garden Valerian is not attractive to mammalian herbivores.

Foodplant / sap sucker
nymph of Acompus rufipes sucks sap of Valeriana officinalis
Remarks: Other: uncertain

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / saprobe
colony of Arthrinium dematiaceous anamorph of Arthrinium phaeospermum is saprobic on dead leaf of Valeriana officinalis
Remarks: season: esp. 7-8

Foodplant / saprobe
immersed, becoming erumpent conidioma of Chaetospermum coelomycetous anamorph of Chaetospermum chaetosporum is saprobic on dead stem of Valeriana officinalis

Foodplant / parasite
cleistothecium of Erysiphe valerianae parasitises live Valeriana officinalis

Foodplant / miner
larva of Liriomyza valerianae mines leaf of Valeriana officinalis

Foodplant / open feeder
nocturnal larva of Macrophya albicincta grazes on leaf of Valeriana officinalis
Other: minor host/prey

Foodplant / sap sucker
Macrosiphum rosae sucks sap of live Valeriana officinalis

Foodplant / parasite
sporangium of Peronospora valerianae parasitises live Valeriana officinalis

Foodplant / spot causer
epiphyllous, few, immersed, then erumpent pycnidium of Phyllosticta coelomycetous anamorph of Phyllosticta valerianae causes spots on live leaf of Valeriana officinalis
Remarks: season: 8

Foodplant / spot causer
hypophyllous colony of Ramularia anamorph of Ramularia valerianae causes spots on live leaf of Valeriana officinalis

Foodplant / parasite
telium of Uromyces valerianae parasitises live Valeriana officinalis

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 12
Specimens with Barcodes: 13
Species With Barcodes: 1

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

The preference is full sun, consistently moist conditions, and soil consisting of fertile loam. However, this plant can adapt to less ideal circumstances. There are very few problems with disease organisms or pests.