HELIOTROPE VALERIAN 



Valeriana sitchensis Bongard 



Heliotrope valerian grows plentifully in moist upland meadows, 

 or on open mountain slopes, its tall succulent stems lifting the heads 

 of white or pinkish flowers well above the surrounding vegetation. 

 The flowers are very sweet-scented with a fragrance suggesting heli- 

 otrope 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 366 



