Better Learning Through Botany

Exploring wetland ecology, scientific illustration, and native plants in the Pacific Northwest.

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          • Lamiaceae – Mint Family
          • Malvaceae
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Valerianaceae

Valerianaceae – Valerian Family

 

The Valerianaceae, was up until somewhat recently its own family of flowering herbaceous plants, but is now classified as part of the Caprifoliaceae, or Honeysuckle family.[i] These plants are found in most regions of the world except for Australia. In our area, members of the Valerian family are perennial herbs with a distinctly unpleasant odor due to the presence of Isovaleric acid.[ii] In fact, the family name originates from the Latin “valere,” meaning “strong” in reference to their somewhat robust scent.[iii] Valerianaceae have many tiny bisexual and unisexual flowers found in small clusters as corymbs or panicles. Smooth obovate or lanceolate leaves can be simple or pinnately compound. Basal leaves are arranged in a whorl and cauline leaves are opposite.[iv] Within the genus Plectritis stems are angled similar to the members of the Mint family.[v] Funnelform flower corollas are five lobed and bilabiate (two lipped), which also give this group a similar appearance to members of Mint family.

Valerian root is used as a sedative that acts on the central nervous system. However, about one in five people will have a reverse reaction to the plant, where it acts as a stimulant rather than a tranquilizer.[vi]

Plectritis congesta – Rosy Plectritis

 

Species Code: PLCO

Growth Habit: Annual herb from a taproot

Leaves: Basal leaves soon deciduous; stem leaves opposite, lowermost leaves spoon-shaped  or egg-shaped with short stalks, others more oblong or elliptic and stalkless, smooth, 1-6 cm long, 3-22 mm wide.

Flowers: Inflorescence of terminal, more or less head like clusters; corollas white to pale or dark pink 1.5-9.5 mm long, 2-lobed, with a slender spur, the tip usually enlarged; calyces lacking.

Fruits: Achenes, dry, 2-4 mm long, convex side of body usually keeled, not grooved lengthwise, winged or not, the wing margins not thickened, hairy near the tips or along the margins. concave brown fruits sitting in the “cups” formed by the dried vegetative parts.  Ripens asynchronously, so there will sometimes be flowers on the same plant as mature seed.  Doesn’t hold seed long, especially in rainy weather.

Ecology: Facultative Upland Species (FACU), occurs and survives in dry uplands, but in the Willamette Valley found in wetland prairies.[vii]

[i] Simpson, M. Plant Systematics 2nd ed. Academic Press, Burlington, MA. 2010.

[ii] Elpel, T. J., Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification. HOPS Press, 2004. 142

[iii] Hitchcock, et al. 455

[iv] Gilkey, H. Handbook of Northwestern Plants, Revised Edition. Oregon State University Press; Corvallis, OR. 2001.  390

[v] Gilkey, H. Handbook of Northwestern Plants, Revised Edition. Oregon State University Press; Corvallis, OR. 2001.  391

[vi] Elpel, T. J., Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification. HOPS Press, 2004. 142

[vii] USDA Plants Database: <https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LONU&gt;

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Table of Contents

  • Menu
    • Home
    • Project Introduction
    • What Are Wetland Praires
    • Botanical Glossary
    • Illustrated Field Guide
      • Monocots
        • Forbs
          • Alismataceae
          • Amaryllidaceae
          • Asparagaceae
          • Iridaceae
          • Orchidaceae
          • Melanthiaceae – Death Camas
        • Grammanoids
          • Cyperaceae
          • Juncaceae
          • Poaceae
          • Typhaceae – Cattail Family
      • Dicots
        • Herbaceous
          • Apiaceae
          • Apocynaceae
          • Asteraceae
          • Boraginaceae
          • Brassicaceae
          • Campanulaceae
          • Caryophyllaceae
          • Fabaceae
          • Geraniaceae – Geranium Family
          • Lamiaceae – Mint Family
          • Malvaceae
          • Montiaceae
          • Onagraceae
          • Plantaginaceae
          • Polemoniaceae
          • Polygonaceae
          • Ranunculaceae
          • Rosaceae
          • Rubiaceae
          • Saxifragaceae – Saxifrag Family
          • Valerianaceae
        • Woody Plants
          • Oleaceae
          • Rosaceae
          • Salicaceae
      • Other
        • Equisetaceae
        • Isoetaceae
    • About the Author
    • Contact

Resources

  • Bridgham Lab at University of Oregon
  • Cal Flora
  • Cascadia Prairie Oak Partnership
  • City of Eugene Wetlands
  • City of Portland Weed ID Guide
  • Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
  • Current Plant Nomenclature
  • Institute for Applied Ecology
  • Ladybird Johnson Native Plant Center
  • Mount Pisgah Arboretum
  • Native American Ethnobotany Database
  • Native Community History of the Eugene Area
  • Native Plant Society Oregon
  • Oregon Flora Project
  • Oregon Flora Image Project
  • The Plant List
  • PNW Weed Identification Module
  • Practical Guidelines for Wetland Prairie Restoration
  • Roy Lab at University of Oregon
  • UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History
  • USDA Plants Database
  • University of Oregon Environmental Studies Program
  • Willow Creek Nature Conservancy Preserve
  • Willamette Resources & Education Network
  • Willamette Valley Native Plant Materials Network

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