Garden heliotrope or Valerian

(Valeriana officinalis)

General description:

Tall (1-5') herbaceous perennial with fleshy stalks. Introduced as a medicinal plant. Roots have a pungent odor. Plants emerge early in spring.

Ecological threat:

• Invades upland forests, wetlands, marshes, woodland swamps, grasslands, and stream edges.
• Tolerant of both wet and dry conditions.
• Rapidly expanding its range in Northern Wisconsin
• Early emergence, vigorous growth habit, and the ability to self-seed gives this species a competitive advantage resulting in displacement of native species.

Photo Gallery:

• garden valerian 4
• garden valerian 3
• garden valerian 2
• garden valerian 5
• garden valerian 1

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