Valerian Family
Valerian Valeriana Silvatica
The tiny pale pink flowers of the Valerian grow in flat-topped clusters at the tips of straight stiff stems, 1-3 ft. tall. They bloom in early summer in fir and spruce forests at 8000-11000 ft. The botanical name of this species refers to the fact that the plants are forest-lovers. Some species of Valerian are used in medicine as a sedative and for various nervous troubles, and one has an edible root. They have a strong unpleasant odor which cats and rats like. The leaves are efficacious in healing wounds.