Valeriana alliariifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Valeriana macrophylla
• Valeriana alliariifolia var. intermedia
• Valeriana alliariifolia var. subintegra

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dipsacales, it falls into the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Valeriana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several distinct regions of Southeastern Europe and Western Asia. Within Southeastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted in Greece. Moving eastward, the species can be found throughout the Caucasus, including both the North Caucasus and the Transcaucasus regions. Its range also extends into Western Asia, where it inhabits the territories of Iran and Iraq. Together, these locations define the specific natural habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Valeriana alliariifolia is primarily defined by its preference for transitional ecosystems, where it frequently colonizes forest edges and open meadows. These specific habitats provide a strategic balance of light availability and soil moisture, allowing the plant to thrive in the ecotones between dense woodland canopies and more exposed grassland environments. By occupying these margins, the species benefits from the increased solar radiation found in meadow settings while utilizing the structural protection and nutrient-rich organic matter typically provided by the proximity of forest borders.

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows

Life history

The life history of Valeriana alliariifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a robust root system that allows it to endure periods of dormancy, typically during unfavorable environmental conditions or colder months, before re-emerging to continue its vegetative and reproductive processes. This sustained lifecycle enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, supporting more substantial flowering and seed production in subsequent years compared to annual or biennial species. Through this continuous existence, the plant can colonize its habitat more effectively, leveraging its established presence to maintain population stability within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Valeriana alliariifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m.

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Valeriana alliariifolia is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive success. The flowering period typically commences in June, marking the onset of its reproductive phase, and continues through the mid-summer months until it concludes in August. This temporal window is critical for the plant's pollination processes, as the duration of the bloom provides a concentrated period for floral development and subsequent seed production.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Valeriana alliariifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypoxic.

Antihypoxic

1. Farmakologiia i toksikologiia