Garden valerian
Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. February 2014.
Scientific name: Valeriana officinalis L.
Common name(s): garden valerian, valerian, common valerian, garden heliotrope, all-heal
Links: USDA PLANTS Profile, Go Botany
Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”)
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- basal leaves
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- pre-flower, mid-June
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- In flower, July
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- after flowering, July
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- post-flower, July
Description:
– perennial
-herbaceous
-white-pink flowers
-invasive
-spreads by rhizomes
-reproduces by seed
-very fragrant
-pinnate basal leaves
Habitat:
-full-part sun
-well drained but moist soils
Natural History:
-known to have anti-inflammatory effects
-beneficial effects of V. officinalis in the nervous system
- hydro-alcoholic extract can be shown to prevent depression
-native to Europe and Western Asia
Sources:
Hosseini, M., Boskabady, M., Neamati, A., & Chaman, F. (2014). The effects of valeriana officinalis L. hydro-alcoholic extract on depression like behavior in ovalbumin sensitized rats. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Science, 6(2), 97-103. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.129174