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: