Valeriana pubicarpa
Mountain valerian
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Valerianaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Valeriana pubicarpa (Mountain valerian) is a native California perennial in the Valerianaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with only 1 species; distinctive simple leaves and flower proportions.
Mountain valerian is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada, northern Sierra Nevada, and expected in the White and Inyo Mountains in moist, rocky slopes and conifer forest at elevations of 2,700 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers 4.5 to 6 millimeters long with a throat about twice the length of its lobes. Growing with stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall, the plant is generally glabrous with an upright habit. Its leaves range from 4 to 30 centimeters long, with basal leaves simple and elliptic to spoon-shaped, while cauline leaves are reduced and may have a terminal lobe significantly larger than lateral lobes. The fruit is lanceolate, measuring 3.5 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with only 1 species; distinctive simple leaves and flower proportions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, rocky slopes, conifer forest
Elevation: 2700-3200 m
California counties: Sierra, Mono
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Valeriana pubicarpa blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Centranthus: Valeriana has fern-like compound leaves; Centranthus has simple, undivided leaves.; vs Monardella: Valeriana has compound leaves and spurless flowers; Monardella has simple leaves and mint-family square stems.; vs Plectritis: Valeriana is perennial with compound leaves; Plectritis is annual with simple leaves.; vs Bistorta: Valeriana has compound leaves and clusters of small flowers; Bistorta has simple leaves and dense bottlebrush spikes.; vs Antennaria: Valeriana has compound leaves and open flower clusters; Antennaria has simple woolly leaves and fuzzy flower heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valeriana pubicarpa native to California?
Yes. Valeriana pubicarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Valeriana pubicarpa bloom?
Valeriana pubicarpa blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Valeriana pubicarpa grow?
Valeriana pubicarpa occurs in Sierra, Mono, at elevations of 2700-3200 m.
What plant family does Valeriana pubicarpa belong to?
Valeriana pubicarpa is in the Valerianaceae family, genus Valeriana.
What habitat does Valeriana pubicarpa grow in?
Valeriana pubicarpa grows in Moist, rocky slopes, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.