Practical
Plants

Valeriana phu

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Some caution is advised with the use of this plant. At least one member of the genus is considered to be poisonous raw[5] and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.

Edible uses

Seed[7]. No further details are given but the seeds of other members of this genus are parched and then eaten. An essential oil from the leaves and root is used as a flavouring in ice cream, baked goods, condiments etc[9]. It is especially important in apple flavours[15]. The leaves can also be used as a condiment[21]. The plant is used in moderation as a herbal tea[9].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, nervine (powerful), sedative, stimulant[17][22][23][3][14][18][4][6][12]. Use with caution[14].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the roots and the leaves, it is used in perfumery[20][21]. The dried root attracts rats and can be used as a bait to lure them away from other areas[2]. An ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[16]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]. The plant can also be used to make a very good liquid plant feed[3][8]. It attracts earthworms[3][8].

Product or use
Compost
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Liquid feed
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
The origin of this plant is obscure, it is probably Europe[19].
Habitat
Rocky slopes[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed because it requires light for germination[13]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions in the summer if sufficient growth has been made. If the plants are too small to plant out, grow them on in the greenhouse or frame for their first winter and plant them out early in the following summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a good soil, succeeding in sun or partial shade[10]. Plants grown in a dry garden in Essex succeed in dry shade on a north facing wall[11]. This plant has been cultivated as a medicinal plant[10]. Closely related to V. officinalis[13].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

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  5. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  7. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  8. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

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  12. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

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  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

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  16. Bruce. M. E. Commonsense Compost Making. Faber 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-571-09990-4

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  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  19. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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  20. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  21. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  22. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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  23. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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