HELIOTROPE VALERIAN 
Valeriana sitchensis Bongard 
Heliotrope valerian grows plentifully in moist upland meadows, 
ot on open mountain slopes, its tall succulent stems lifting the heads 
of white or pinkish flowers well above the suffounding vegetation. 
The flowers ate very sweet-scented with a fragrance su ggesting heli- 
ottope and attract numerous small insects. If they are gathered and 
placed in water, however, the penetrating odor so characteristic of the 
Valerian Family becomes clearly noticeable and the water turns pink. 
The odor of the roots persists long after they are dry. Numerous 
species of valerian grow in the United States, especially in the West. 
Heliotrope valerian is found from Montana and Oregon north to 
Yukon and Alaska. | 
The flowers sketched were obtained near Hector, British Columbia, 
at an altitude of 5,000 feet. 
PLATE 3,66 
