Valeriana locusta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends further north into the landscapes of Finland. The species is also well-documented across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its range includes the rugged terrains of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Valeriana locusta is characterized by its distribution across a low-altitude gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. This species frequently establishes itself within anthropogenically influenced environments, specifically inhabiting crop fields where it integrates into the local agricultural landscape.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields

Life history

The life history of Valeriana locusta is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods by producing seeds that remain dormant until conditions are suitable for germination, avoiding the need for permanent above-ground structures. This life form is fundamentally deciduous, meaning it sheds its vegetative components at the end of its seasonal cycle, leaving no persistent foliage. Through this strategy of rapid growth and seed-based survival, the plant efficiently utilizes seasonal resources to ensure reproductive success before the onset of environmental stress.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Valeriana locusta is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, showing no parasitic behavior. In terms of its physical stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.1775 m. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine, and it does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, remaining strictly terrestrial.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.1775 m

Plant height min:

0.07 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Valeriana locusta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process typical of plants in temperate or shaded environments. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil-based nutrient uptake. Its foliage exhibits an elliptic leaf form with dimensions that vary significantly, ranging from a minimum leaf length of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, and a leaf width that spans from 0.1 cm to 1.4 cm. On average, the leaves possess a width of 0.8 cm and a mean surface area of 1.52 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 317 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its strategy for light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.52 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.4 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

317 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Valeriana locusta is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, characterized by small blue flowers that measure between 0.15 cm and 0.2 cm in length. These flowers rely on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects for pollination. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success through its internal mechanisms. Following pollination, the plant develops an achene fruit, which maintains a mean length of 0.2 cm (ranging from 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm) and a mean width of 0.2 cm. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a consistent mean length of 2.5 mm and a mean mass of approximately 0.00116 g, though individual seed mass can range from a minimum of 0.00073 g to a maximum of 0.00263 g. Dispersal of these seeds is classified as unspecialized, meaning they do not rely on a specific highly adapted mechanism for transport.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flower colour :

blue

Flower length max:

0.2 cm

Flower length min:

0.15 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00263 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00116083333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00073 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Valeriana locusta has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, BORON, CALCIUM, COPPER, FAT.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

GLUTAMIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Isoleucine

1. Dr. Duke

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke

MANGANESE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Valeriana locusta has 221 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Adjuvant, Analgesic, Androgenic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiADD

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke