Marsh Valerian, Woods valerian

Valeriana dioica

Physical Characteristics

Valeriana dioica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to June. 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 and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Spain, N. Italy and central Russia.

Habitats

Meadow; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Root - cooked. The odoriferous root is slowly baked for 2 days and then eaten as a vegetable, used in soups or made into a bread[172]. Seed - parched[172].

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Carminative Diuretic Hypnotic Nervine Sedative Stimulant The whole plant, but especially the root, is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, nervine (powerful), sedative, stimulant[172]. Use with caution[21].

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.