Scientific Family
Valerianaceae
Other common names
edible valerian
tobaccoroot
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Valeriana officinalis, V. uliginosa
Height
30 to 48 inches
Riparian
Yes
Long taproot; leaves opposite, thick with nearly parallel veins and hairless surfaces but hairy margins, sometimes lobed; basal leaves have a short winged stalk, narrow and inversely egg-shaped; whitish to pale yellow flowers on a branched elongated stem.
Roots strong-scented; stems stout; flower stalks branch (panicle), sepals bristle-like. Distinguished from other Valeriana by lance-like (tapers towards the base) to spatula-like leaves, nearly parallel veins, flowers whitish to pale yellow.
Habitat
Rich, moist soils in open coniferous forests, also in seeps and springs, stream banks, moist canyons and meadows.
Plant Community
Riparian
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
6500
High elevation
9500
Flower Characteristics
Cone-shape male or female flowers on separate plants, few flowers male and female, borne on erect, elongated stalk, many side branches, bisexual and male flowers <1/4 inch across and female flowers to 1/16 inch across. Sepals rolled up at flowering.
Flower color
Whitish to pale yellow
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stem leaves thick, nearly parallel veined, surfaces hairless, margins hairy; basal leaves have short winged stalks, to 12 inches long, narrow, inversely egg-shaped, and toothless or with 1 or 2 lobes near the base. Stem leaves smaller, may be lobed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Sepals not rolled up at fruiting. Achene 3/16 inch long, hairy or not hairy, egg-shaped to oblong.
Fruit type
Achene