Garden heliotrope or Valerian

Tall (1-5') herbaceous perennial with fleshy stalks. They were introduced as a medicinal plants. Roots have a pungent odor. Plants emerge early in spring.

Other names for this plant include:

• Common names: garden heliotrope, garden valerian, Greek valerian, common valerian

Classification in Wisconsin: Restricted

Ecological Threat

• Invades upland forests, wetlands, marshes, woodland swamps, grasslands, and stream edges.
• Tolerant of both wet and dry conditions.
• It is rapidly expanding its range in northern Wisconsin.
• Early emergence, vigorous growth habits and the ability to self-seed give this species a competitive advantage resulting in the displacement of native species.

Identification

Leaves & stems: Opposite, pinnately compound leaves. 5-25 toothed lanceolate leaflets.

Flowers: White to pale-pink tiny flowers arranged in tight clusters.

Fruits & seeds: Small oblong capsules release abundant powdery seeds.

Roots: White, fleshy rhizomes with thick fibrous roots and a pungent odor.

Control

Mechanical:

• Pull, cut or mow plants before flowering.

Chemical:

• Foliar spray with triclopyr or glyphosate.

Resources

Sources for content:

• Czarapata, Elizabeth; Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest: an illustrated guide to their identification and control. The University of Wisconsin Press. 2005. Pg. 70-72
• Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Valeriana officinalis. [exit DNR]
• Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
• Gleason, H., Cronquist, A. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada Second Edition; pg 66.

Links for more information:

• Invasive Plant Atlas of New England [exit DNR]
• USDA PLANTS Profile [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin State Herbarium [exit DNR]