Valeriana effusa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Valeriana approximata
• Valeriana effusa var. fiebrigii
• Valeriana effusa var. trifoliata

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dipsacales, it is classified under the family Caprifoliaceae and is identified by the genus Valeriana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the South American continent. In Western South America, its presence is notably recorded in Bolivia. Moving toward the southern regions, it can be found throughout the Northeast of Argentina. Additionally, the species extends into the Northwest part of Argentina. These locations highlight the specific environmental niches where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Valeriana effusa is characterized by its specific distribution across montane landscapes, where it thrives within a distinct vertical niche. This species is typically found occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This altitudinal gradient suggests that the plant is adapted to a variety of mid-to-high altitude environmental conditions, likely influencing its tolerance to temperature fluctuations and moisture availability within these specific mountain strata.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Valeriana effusa is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production and subsequent death—within a single growing season. This lifecycle dictates its reproductive strategy, as the plant must rapidly establish its root system and vegetative structure to prepare for timely flowering and seed dispersal before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. As an annual, its survival as a species depends entirely on the successful production of a seed bank that can persist in the soil to germinate during the following season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Valeriana effusa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it can exist within a spectrum that includes semiaquatic and aquatic environments. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies and functions as an independent species without parasitic behavior. Furthermore, it lacks any epiphytic characteristics, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Valeriana effusa has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anxiolytic, Sedative.

Anxiolytic

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Sedative

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)