THE VALERIAN FAMILY 
[ORDER XXXIX. VALERI ANEiE] 
HE Valerian Family is distinguished from the other families that have the petals united at 
the base into a tube which is inserted on the top of the calyx-tube and above the seedcase 
(which is therefore inferior), by its small number of stamens (in the British species 3 or i), and its 
small, seed-like, inferior fruit. 
It is a small order of herbs, growing chiefly in temperate climates, sometimes at great heights. 
Among those native to Britain the root of the Great Wild Valerian is a powerful drug, consider- 
ably used in medicine, and the Lamb’s Lettuce (Valerianella), is used as a salad. Abroad are to 
be found some very aromatic sweet-scented species. The precious Spikenard, spoken of in the 
Bible, is prepared from the roots and leaves of one species (Nardostachys Jatamansi), and several 
others are useful in the preparation of scent. 
VALERIAN. (VALERIANA, LINN.) — Flowers small, usually numerous, white or pink, often 
with stamenless (female) flowers on one plant and carpelless (male) on another (dioecious), in 
terminal clusters (corymbose cymes). Calyx-tube combined with the seedcase, with a border which 
in fruit develops into a feathery ring and crowns the fruit ; petals 5, united into a short tube, not 
spurred, and separating into 5 short lobes ; stamens 3 ; carpel 1. Fruit small and dry, crowned 
with the feathery calyx-border, 1 -celled, and containing 1 hanging seed. Herbs with opposite, 
entire or divided leaves. 
Small Marsh Valerian. (Valeriana dioiea, Linn.) — As just described. Flowers on one 
plant ^ inch across, palest pink, without carpels, and collected into a loose cluster ; on another 
much smaller, deeper in colour, without stamens, and collected into a compact round cluster, 
with deeply 3-cleft stigmas ; stem 6-18 inches high, smooth ; the stem leaves stalkless, and 
lobed towards the midrib, with a large terminal lobe (lyrately-pinnatifid), and the root leaves 
egg-shaped, on long stalks. [ Plate 62. 
Nor uncommon. Marshy ground. May — June. Perennial. 
Great Wild Valerian. (Valeriana Mikanii, Syme.)— Flowers } inch across, with 
stamens and carpels, pale pink, in terminal flat clusters (corymbose cymes). [As described in the 
genus Valeriana.] Stem 2-5 feet high, stout, ribbed, and hairy towards the base, with the leaves 
all divided to the midrib into 6-10 pairs of toothed, narrow leaflets and 1 terminal one (impari- 
pinnate). 
Not common. Damp meadows and woods, by the sides of streams. June — July. Perennial. 
Elder-leaved Valerian. (Valeriana sambucifolia, Willd.)— A very similar species, 
differing in having only 4-6 pairs of broader leaflets. 
Not common. Damp meadows and woods, by the sides of streams. June — July. Perennial. 
