Valeriana officinalis

Valeriana officinalis, Common Valerian is an upright, clump-forming perennial herbaceous plant with quick growth, also known as the Hill Valerian. It flowers from May to July with fleshy stems bearing corymbs of small, flattened flowers, 3 to 5 mm (0in) long. They are a pretty pinkish-white and composed of 5 petals and 3 stamens followed by feathered oval achenes.

The green leaves of Valerian are deciduous and aromatic, 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8in) long, composed of 7 to 10 pairs of lanceolate, toothed leaflets. At full bloom, Valeriana officinalis can reach over 1.50 m (5ft) high. It is a very hardy plant that thrives in woodlands, marshes, rockeries, wet meadows, and along stream banks in its native central Europe It is widespread in mountain regions and naturalizes well in wild gardens. It readily self-seeds and sometimes establishes itself in curious places like cracks in a wall, but it can damage old or non-cemented walls, in a similar way to ivy.

It is also a melliferous plant, meaning it contains substances collected by pollinating insects or birds that transform into honey. Valerian, or "Heal-All," is a medicinal plant. Valerian root has a calming effect against anxiety and depression and promotes sleep.