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Valeriana phu - L.

Common Name
Family Valerianaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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[161] and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.
Habitats Rocky slopes[187].
Range The origin of this plant is obscure, it is probably Europe[50].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Valeriana phu


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rillke
Valeriana phu
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rillke

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Valeriana phu is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) 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. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Seed[172]. No further details are given but the seeds of other members of this genus are parched and then eaten. An essential oil from the leaves and root is used as a flavouring in ice cream, baked goods, condiments etc[183]. It is especially important in apple flavours[238]. The leaves can also be used as a condiment[61]. The plant is used in moderation as a herbal tea[183].

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, nervine (powerful), sedative, stimulant[4, 7, 9, 14, 21, 46, 147, 165, 192]. Use with caution[21].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Compost  Essential  Liquid feed  Repellent

An essential oil is obtained from the roots and the leaves, it is used in perfumery[57, 61]. The dried root attracts rats and can be used as a bait to lure them away from other areas[100]. An ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[32]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]. The plant can also be used to make a very good liquid plant feed[14, 18]. It attracts earthworms[14, 18].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a good soil, succeeding in sun or partial shade[187]. Plants grown in a dry garden in Essex succeed in dry shade on a north facing wall[190]. This plant has been cultivated as a medicinal plant[187]. Closely related to V. officinalis[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Centranthus macrosiphon Annual0.6 -  LMHNDM20 
Centranthus ruberRed Valerian, Fox's Brush, Jupiter's BeardPerennial0.9 5-8 MLMHNDM211
Fedia cornucopiae Annual0.2 -  LMHNDM20 
Nardostachys grandifloraSpikenardPerennial0.3 -  LMHSNM133
Patrinia scabiosifoliaEastern Valerian, Scabious PatriniaPerennial0.6 5-8 FLMNM13 
Patrinia triloba Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM102
Patrinia villosa Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM11 
Valeriana amurensis Perennial0.0 -  LMHNM10 
Valeriana capitataValerian, Captiate valerianPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHNMWe111
Valeriana celtica Perennial0.3 -  LMHNM112
Valeriana ciliataTobacco RootPerennial0.8 -  LMHNM10 
Valeriana dioicaMarsh Valerian, Woods valerianPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHNMWe11 
Valeriana fauriei Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM01 
Valeriana hardwickii Perennial1.5 -  LMHNM032
Valeriana jatamansiIndian ValerianPerennial0.5 -  LMHNM031
Valeriana obovataTobacco RootPerennial1.2 -  LMHNM21 
Valeriana occidentaliswestern valerianPerennial1.0 -  LMHNM11 
Valeriana officinalisValerian, Garden valerianPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHNM233
Valeriana sambucifolia Perennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNM232
Valeriana sitchensisAmerican Valerian, Sitka valerianPerennial1.2 0-0  LMHNM131
Valeriana toluccana Perennial0.0 -  LMHNM223
Valeriana uliginosaMountain ValerianPerennial1.0 -  LMHNMWe02 
Valerianella carinataKeeled-Fruited Cornsalad, European cornsaladAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNDM20 
Valerianella chenopodifolia Annual0.6 -  LMHNM20 
Valerianella eriocarpaItalian Corn SaladAnnual0.4 -  LMHNDM30 
Valerianella locustaCorn Salad, Lewiston cornsaladAnnual0.3 4-8  LMHNDM40 
Valerianella radiataBeaked CornsaladAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNDM200

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

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