Valeriana occidentalis

Heller

Small-flower Valerian, Western Valerian

Caprifoliaceae Edible: Root, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 1,345 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Valeriana occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family known by the common name western valerian. It is native to the western United States, particularly the northwestern quadrant, but it occurs as far south as Arizona and as far east as Colorado and South Dakota. It occurs in moist, forested mountain habitat. It is an erect herb growing 30 to 75 centimeters tall with whorls or opposite pairs of leaves at intervals along stem. The leaves are generally divided into lobes or are compound, with each leaf made up of a few oval-shaped leaflets. The inflorescence is a dense cyme of many funnel-shaped white flowers each 3 or 4 millimeters long with three long, protruding stamens. The fruit is a ribbed achene about half a centimeter long which may be tipped with the featherlike remains of the flower sepals.

Description

A perennial reaching 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in height. Dioecious with insect pollination; both sexes required for seed set. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Demands full sun and prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

The root is cooked before eating and has a strong flavour; it requires steaming for 24 hours. Seeds can be parched and eaten.

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant, and particularly the root, is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative and stimulant. Use with caution.

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. It is perhaps no more than a subspecies of V. dioica. 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.