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Valeriana obovata - Nutt. ex Torr.&A.Gray.

Common Name Tobacco Root
Family Valerianaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The plant is considered to be poisonous raw[161, 207].
Habitats Open moist sites, moist meadows, ditches, swamps and prairies, sometimes on saline soils[60].
Range Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Valeriana obovata Tobacco Root


Valeriana obovata Tobacco Root

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Valeriana obovata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

V. edulis. Nutt.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[2, 22, 46, 161]. It requires a long steaming[95]. The Indians would slow-bake it for about 2 days[207]. A very strong and peculiar taste that is offensive to some people but agreeable to others[85, 207]. The root can be cooked and then dried and ground into a powder[62, 105]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. Seed[172]. No more details are given but the seeds of other members of this genus are parched and then eaten.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Carminative  Diuretic  Hypnotic  Nervine  Sedative  Stimulant

The whole plant, but especially the root, is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative and stimulant[172]. The crushed root has been rubbed on parts affected by rheumatism, swollen bruises, painful bleeding cuts and wounds[257]. The root has been used as a tapeworm medicine[257]. Use with caution[21].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed because it requires light for germination[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions in the summer if sufficient growth has been made. If the plants are too small to plant out, grow them on in the greenhouse or frame for their first winter and plant them out early in the following summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Nutt. ex Torr.&A.Gray.

Botanical References

160

Links / References

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Subject : Valeriana obovata  
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