Photo
at right of edible valerian from Big Summit Prairie, Ochoco N.F........June
27, 1998.Edible valerian is a tall, erect perennial that ascends 10-120 cm from a stout, fleshy taproot. The basal leaves are numerous, firm, linear to obovate in shape and 7-40 cm long and 7-55 mm wide. The blades taper gradually to the petiole or base, and the margins are entire. Occasionally, some of the basal leaves will have several forward pointing lobes at the base. The 2-6 pairs of stem leaves are smaller, usually pinnatifid, with narrow lobes and short petioles, and becoming sessile towards the inflorescence.
The inflorescence is a panicle, often compact during bloom and elongating or expanding in fruit. The flowers are either perfect, staminate, or pistillate. The 5 petals or lobes of the corolla are slightly shorter than the tube.
The species name edulis meas edible. The taproot, when cooked was eaten by native Americans. The plant has an unpleasant odor, likened to "dirty feet", but after cooing the plant is more palatable. Evidently rats are attracted to the odor of the roots, and thus the roots were once used to attract rats for poisoning.
Edible valerian grows in moist meadows to slightly dry sites in montane or subalpine zones.
Edible valerian may be found from southern British Columbia south along the eastern edge of the Cascades to Mexico, and east to Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, and Ontario.
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