Valeriana ciliata
Torr. & A. Gray
Tobacco root, Edible Valerian
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Pat Deacon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Pat Deacon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Pat Deacon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaValeriana ciliata is a perennial growing to 0.8 m tall with dioecious flowers requiring both male and female plants for seed production; flowers are insect-pollinated. It grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. The plant demands full sun and prefers moist soil conditions.
Description
Valeriana ciliata is a perennial growing to 0.8 m tall with dioecious flowers requiring both male and female plants for seed production; flowers are insect-pollinated. It grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. The plant demands full sun and prefers moist soil conditions.
Edible Uses
The root is cooked before eating. The odoriferous root is slowly baked for 2 days and can then be eaten as a vegetable, used in soups, or made into a bread.
Traditional Uses
The roots are baked in underground ovens for 2 days then eaten as a vegetable, used in soups or made into bread.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
Some caution is advised with the use of this plant. At least one member of the genus is considered to be poisonous raw and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, barely covering it as light is needed for germination. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle, then plant out into permanent positions in summer if sufficient growth has been made; otherwise overwinter in a greenhouse or frame and plant out early the following summer. Divide in spring — larger divisions can go straight into permanent positions, while smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until established, then planted out in summer or the following spring.
Other Uses
None known Special Uses
Notes
Also put in the family Valerianaceae.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 243
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 84
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
