Valeriana uliginosa - Mountain Valerian

Family:	Valerianaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Quebec to New York and Michigan.

Valeriana uliginosa (Mountain Valerian) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female, thus both genders need to be present to seed) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Mountain Valerian will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Mountain Valerian prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Mountain Valerian should not be planted in shady areas.

Calcareous swamps and wet woods, especially with larix and thuja species[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is analgesic, antispasmodic[254, 257]. It is used in the treatment of cramps, menopausal problems, headaches, sore throats and coughs[254, 257]. Large doses of the plant cause mental stupor[257]. A poultice of the crushed root has been applied to cuts and wounds[257].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed because it requires light for germination[200]. 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.

Known Hazards

Some caution is advised with the use of this plant. At least one member of the genus is considered to be poisonous raw[161] and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

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