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 Flower stalk Paul Rothrock @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Leaves Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Valeriana officinalis, V. uliginosa
General Desc:
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.
Identification notes: 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.
Height:
30 to 48 inches
Habitat Description: Rich, moist soils in open coniferous forests, also in seeps and springs, stream banks, moist canyons and meadows.
Plant Communities:
Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian
Elevation: 6500 - 9500 feet
Color:
Whitish to pale yellow
Shape:
Bell-shaped in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Sep
Description:
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.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Dissected
Leaf Attachment:
Basal and opposite
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
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.
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Sepals not rolled up at fruiting. Achene 3/16 inch long, hairy or not hairy, egg-shaped to oblong.
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