Caprifoliaceae FAMILY

Valeriana sitchensis

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & 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 Title Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. Publication Author Yanovsky. E. Publisher U.S. Depf of Agriculture. Year ISBN - Description A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader. ] and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.

Botanical Description

Valeriana sitchensis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.20 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - Alaska to California.

HabitatMoist open or wooded places at mid or upper elevations in the mountains, often in wet meadows[ 60 Title Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Publication Author Hitchcock. C. L. Publisher University of Washington Press Year 1955 ISBN - Description A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader. ].