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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Valeriana acutiloba

Valeriana acutiloba Rydb.

Sharpleaf Valerian, Downy-fruit Valerian

Valerianaceae (Valerian Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: VAAC

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small, slightly bilaterally symmetrical, white flowers in branched clusters atop a stem with largest leaves at base.

The mostly undivided, basal leaves help distinguish this from other similar species, which have divided leaves. This species is variable, and by some botanists is divided into at least three species: Cordilleran Valerian (V. acutiloba), the most southwesterly, has hairless leaves and stems; Downy-fruit Valerian (V. pubicarpa), more westerly, has hairless leaves but hairy stems; California Valerian (V. californica), also westerly, has hairy leaves and stems. Valeriana comes from the Latin valere ("to be strong") and refers to the medicinal qualities of the plants. Extracts were used as a nerve tonic and are said, under certain circumstances, to relax better than opium. Valerian was one of 72 ingredients Mithridates, king of Pontus in the second century b.c., compounded as an antidote to poison, using poisoned slaves as test subjects.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: Southwestern Montana southwest to northern California, southern Sierra Nevada, northern Arizona, and New Mexico.
Native Habitat: Open, rocky slopes in mountains, often near water or snowbanks.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FAC FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 74 - Southwest Colorado Wildflowers (2020) Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Valeriana acutiloba in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Valeriana acutiloba in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Valeriana acutiloba

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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