Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) is a perennial that we most often see in subalpine locations in wet meadows, on snowmelt slopes, or in wet openings in forests.
- Valerian grows up with a stout stem from thick rhizomes.
- Leaves grow in pairs along the side stalks/branches and have toothed edges.
- The inflorescence is a cluster of small white or pale-pinkish flowers in a hemispherical arc.
- The flowers are mildly sweet-smelling, but the plant as a whole has a pungent, less pleasant smell.
- The flowers have 5 corolla lobes and 3 “whiskery: stamens sticking out from the center.
- All photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox view.
- After flowering, achenes form with feathery plumes which are later dispersed by the wind.
- The plants grow to about 1m, but vary in height from 30 to 75 cm.
- Some Indigenous groups ate the roots and many groups used parts of the plants for medicinal purposes.
- In other areas of the province we may see shorter marsh valerian or common valerian
University of Wisconsin