VALERIAN FAMILY (Valerianaceae)
IND. STATUS: FACW+
FIELD CHARACTERISTICS: A perennial herb 10-50 cm. tall, occasionally to 120 cm. Leaves are generally parallel-veined with a margin of dense white hairs (ciliated). The basal leaves are linear to oblanceolate, entire or with 1-2 divisions toward the base. The stem leaves are pinnately parted. The inflorescence is an elongate panicle with creamy white flowers. In flower from April to June.
ECOLOGICAL NOTES: Common valerian is characteristic of calcareous fens and calcareous wet to wet-mesic prairies. It is one of the first herbs to flower during the spring in these habitats. This valerian is listed as a threatened species by the State of Minnesota.
SOURCE: Fassett (1976); Gleason and Cronquist (1991); and Swink and Wilhelm (1994).