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Scientific Name | Valeriana acutiloba var. acutiloba | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VAACA |
Common Name | Sharp-leaf Valerian | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 530770 |
Family | Valerianaceae (Valerian) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane and subalpine (7500 to 13000 ft.); moist areas in meadows and forest openings. Plant: Erect, smooth perennial 6 to 18 inches tall. Leaves: Basal leaves on short stalks, undivided, obovate-spatulate to oblong or ovate up to 3 inches long; opposite stem leaves in 2 to 4 pairs, usually pinnately-lobed with small side lobes. Inflorescence: Very small pinkish-white flowers about 1/4-inch across in small hemispherical clusters less than 2 inches across; each blossom with five lobes (or petals) and protruding stamens. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Montana Plant Life and "A Guide to Rocky Mountain Plants" by Nelson and Williams. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |
Scientific Name | Valeriana edulis var. edulis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VAEDE |
Common Name | Edible Valerian, Tobacco Root | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 35360 |
Family | Valerianaceae (Valerian) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane and subalpine (6200 to 12700 ft.); moist areas in meadows, hillsides. Plant: Erect, smooth perennial up to 48 inches tall, depending on conditions. Leaves: Numerous, large basal leaves on short petioles, linear to obovate-shaped up to 6 inches long; smaller opposite stem leaves in 2 to 6 pairs, mostly pinnately-lobed with narrow segments; leaves have hairless surfaces but edges have closely-spaced, extremely small hairs giving a white appearance. Inflorence: Very small greenish-white flowers much less than 1/4-inch across in a compact panicle with opposite branching; flowers are dioecious (separate male and female flowers) or bisexual; lobes/petals rolled up; male blossoms with 3 slightly protruding stamens. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, EFLORA-BC, Burke Museum-Washington and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |
Scientific Name | Valeriana occidentalis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VAOC2 |
Common Name | Western Valerian | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 35362 |
Family | Valerianaceae (Valerian) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane to subalpine (6400 to 11000 ft.); moist areas in meadows and hillsides. Plant: Erect perennial up to 30 inches tall; curving, grooved stem. Leaves: Numerous, large basal, spatulate leaves on short petioles; smaller opposite pairs of pinnately-compound stem leaves, each with lanceolate to ovate leaflets, and upper stems divided into linear-lanceolate lobes or leaflets. Inflorence: Very small white flowers less than 1/4-inch across in a compact panicle with opposite branching; flowers are dioecious (separate male and female flowers) or bisexual; 5 pointed lobes/petals; male blossoms with 3 protruding stamens. Bloom Period: July to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "A Guide to Rocky Mountain Plants" by Nelson and Williams. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |