Valeriana macrorhiza

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phyllactis macrorhiza
• Phyllactis gilliesii
• Valeriana gilliesii
• Phyllactis macrorhiza var. pumila
• Betckea gilliesii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Dipsacales and the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Valeriana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several specific regions of Western and Southern South America. In the western portion of the continent, its presence is documented within Bolivia. Moving toward the southern regions, it can be found in the northern reaches of Argentina, specifically in the northwest. The species also inhabits the southern parts of Argentina. Finally, its range extends through central and southern Chile.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Valeriana macrorhiza is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal belt. This species is typically found inhabiting mid-to-high altitude zones, maintaining a specialized niche that spans an elevational range from a minimum of 1500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. Within these vertical gradients, the plant's distribution is dictated by the varying climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels characteristic of these mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Valeriana macrorhiza is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes a recurring biological cycle where it establishes a robust underground structure, typically involving a thick, rhizomatous root system that serves as a nutrient reservoir for survival during dormant periods. This lifecycle enables the plant to recover and regrow each year, often leading to increased structural complexity and reproductive capacity as the individual matures over time. Through its perennial nature, the plant can withstand seasonal fluctuations, focusing its energy on subterranean storage to facilitate consistent vegetative growth and episodic flowering cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Valeriana macrorhiza is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. The plant exhibits a terrestrial habitat preference, ranging from terrestrial to semiaquatic environments, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and maintains a self-supporting structure without any climbing tendencies.

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 macrorhiza 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)