Read about Valerianaceae in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Valerianaceae (from the genus Valeriana, a word of uncertain origin). Valerian Family. Fig. 55. Annual or perennial herbs, often strongly scented: leaves basal and cauline, the latter opposite, simple or pinnate: flowers bisexual or unisexual, regular or irregular, epigynous; calyx of 1-3 minute, but often accrescent, sepals; corolla 5-, rarely S-4-, lobed, gamopetalous, often produced into a spur at the base; lobes imbricated; stamens 1-4, rarely 5, epipetalous, exserted; ovary inferior, 3-celled, only 1 cell maturing; seed 1; style 1; stigmas 3: fruit dry, indehiscent, 1-seeded. Eight genera and about 280 species are known, mostly in the north temperate regions of the Old World, especially in the region just north of the Mediterranean, and in South America, where the genus Valeriana is mostly distributed. The family is related to the Dipsacaceae and the Caprifoliaceae, and more remotely to the Compositae. The epigynous, gamopetalous flower, separate stamens, 3 carpels and 1-seeded fruit are distinctive. Valeriana officinalis is a powerful nerve sedative with a peculiar odor. Many other Valerianaceae are used as local remedies for the same purpose. The foliage of various species of Valerianella (lamb's lettuce, corn salad) is eaten as a salad, less commonly as a pot-herb. In this country few genera are in cultivation: Patrinia as a pot-herb; Centranthus (Red Valerian, Jupiter's Beard) and Valeriana (Valerian) as ornamental plants; and Valerianella (Corn Salad, Fetticus) for food.
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The Valerianaceae, or valerian family, of the order Dipsacales contains about 350 species in 7 genera. Plants are generally herbaceous and foliage often has a strong, disagreeable odor. They are found native in most regions of the world except for Australia. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals or used in herbal medicine for inducing relaxation and sleep.
The genera of this family along with some species follow:
- C. ruber (Red Valerian, Spur Valerian or Red Spur Valerian)
- F. cornucopiae (African valerian, Horn of plenty)
- N. jatamansi (Spikenard)
- V. dioica (Marsh valerian)
- V. officinalis (Garden Valerian)
- V. locusta (Corn salad, Lamb's lettuce)
References
- Bell, C. D. 2004. Valerianaceae. The Tree of Life Web Project.
- Bell, C. D. 2004. Preliminary phylogeny of Valerianaceae (Dipsacales) based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 31:340-350.
- Jepson Manual Treatment for Valerianaceae Jepson Online Interchange, Jepson Flora Project.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerianaceae