VALERTAN TRTBE 143 



2. Valeriana (Valerian). — Corolla 5-cleft, bulged at the base ; 

 stamens 3 ; jniU crowned with a feathery papjius. (Name from 

 the Latin, valeo, to be powerful, on account of its medicinal pro- 

 perties.) 



3. Fedia (Corn Salad). — Corolla 5-cleft, bulged at the ba.se : 

 stamens 3 ; /ntil crowned with the calyx. (Name of rmcertain 

 origin.) 



I. Centranthus (Spur Valerian) 



I. C. ruber (Red Spur Valerian). — Corolla spurred at the base ; 

 stamen i ; leaves egg-shaped, pointed, entire or slightly toothed. 

 The stems are i-- 2 feet high ; the leaves large, smooth, and glaucous ; 

 the flowers, which grow in terminal bunches, vary from crimson to 

 pink and white. Not a native plant, but not uncommon in lime- 

 stone quarries and chalk-pits, on railway banks and old walls. An 

 exceedingly handsome garden plant. — Fl. June to September. 

 Perennial. 



2. Valeriana (Valerian) 



1. V, dioica (Small Marsh Valerian). — Growing about a foot high, 

 quite erect and unbranched, with runners ; stamens and pistils on 

 different plants ; corolla bulged at tlie base=; stamens 3 ; root-leaves 

 egg-shaped, stalked ; stem-leaves pinnatifid, with a large terminal 

 lobe ; fl,oieiers pink, in a terminal corymb. The flowers which 

 bear stamens are the largest. Not uncommon on marshy ground. — 

 Fl. May. Perennial. 



2. V. officinalis (Great Wild Valerian). — Much taller and stouter 

 than the last, often attaining 3 or 4 feet, but resembling it in habit, 

 as well as in the colour and smell of the flowers. Corolla bulged 

 at the base ; stamens 3 ; leaves all pinnate, their sections 

 lanceolate, toothed, slightly hairy on the under side. This is 

 the species of which the roots are used in medicine, and of 

 which cats are so fond, as also, it is said, are rats. — Fl. June, 

 July. Perennial. 



Besides the above the two following also occur . V sambuci/olia, 

 a variety of V. officinalis, distinguished by the fewer and broader 

 segments of its leaves ; and V pyrenaica, a Pyrenean species, which 

 has become estabhshed in shrubberies, etc., in several places. It 

 much resembles V .offi.cinalis, but is taller, coarser, with large-stalked, 

 heart-shaped leaves. 



