Tobacco Root

Valeriana ciliata

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Basic Information

Family: Valerianaceae

Genus: valeriana

Plant ID (slug): valeriana-ciliata

Numeric ID: 20061

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Valeriana ciliata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - southwards from S. Ontario..

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - cooked[105, 177]. The odoriferous root is slowly baked for 2 days and then eaten as a vegetable, used in soups or made into a bread[183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

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.