Valeriana rubra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Centranthus ruber
• Ocymastrum rubrum
• Valeriana alba
• Centranthus marinus
• Centranthus maritimus
• Centranthus latifolius

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dipsacales, specifically within the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Valeriana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in the landscape of Austria. The plant also inhabits the territories of Belgium within this central region. Finally, its range extends through the areas of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Valeriana rubra is characterized by its preference for lowland habitats, where it thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient. This species is distributed from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1300 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy diverse ecological niches within lower-altitude landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Valeriana rubra are characterized by distinct chromosomal configurations that reflect its evolutionary complexity. Specifically, the plant exhibits varying chromosome numbers, with documented values of 14 and 32. This variation in ploidy levels suggests a complex genomic structure, potentially influenced by polyploidy or chromosomal rearrangements that play a significant role in the species' genetic diversity and adaptive capacity.

Chromosome number :

14, 32

Life history

The life history of Valeriana rubra is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable periods. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its seasonal cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Valeriana rubra is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.4915 m. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting rather than being a liana or a vine, as it does not require external structures for climbing.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.4915 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Valeriana rubra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate medicinal species. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient uptake for its metabolic requirements. Its foliage exhibits significant morphological variation, with leaf forms described as elliptic and leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 11.5 cm. The leaf width displays a similar range, spanning from 1 cm at its minimum to 6 cm at its maximum, resulting in a mean leaf width of 2 cm. On average, the leaves possess a mean surface area of 31.05625 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 216.3 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and resource allocation strategy.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

11.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf size mean:

31.05625 cm²

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

216.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Valeriana rubra is driven by sexual processes, as the plant is characterized by bisexual flowers and the absence of asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through August. During this time, the plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects, with bees identified as a primary pollinator. The flowers are distinguished by their pink color. Following successful pollination—noting that self-fertilization is absent—the plant develops fruits categorized as achenes. These fruits are relatively small, measuring between 0.14 cm and 0.2 cm in width and ranging from 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.45 cm in length, with a mean length of 0.4 cm. Each fruit is prolific, containing a high volume of seeds ranging from 101 to 1,000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are minute, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00182866666666667 g, falling within a range of 0.00158 g to 0.002076 g. Dispersal of the progeny occurs through unspecialized methods, though it also exhibits anthropochorous tendencies, meaning it can be dispersed by human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.45 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.14 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.002076 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00182866666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00158 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Valeriana rubra has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Valtrate.

Valtrate

1. Eksperimentalna meditsina i morfologiia