Valeriana sitchensis
Sitka valerian
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Family: Valerianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Valeriana sitchensis (Sitka valerian) is a native California herb in the Valerianaceae family, recognized by including its own subspecies; largest flowers diagnostic.
Sitka valerian is a California native perennial found in northern coastal regions in moist mountain meadows and forest edges. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in delicate clusters approximately 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 30 to 70 centimeters tall that have short hairy nodes, it develops distinctive foliage with complex leaf structures. Its leaves range 3 to 30 centimeters long, typically featuring 3 to 7 lanceolate to rounded leaflets that are either basal or along the stem. The fruit is small, measuring 4 to 6 millimeters in length and appearing lanceolate to slightly oblong.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 3 species including its own subspecies; largest flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt, Mariposa
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 sitchensis native to California?
Yes. Valeriana sitchensis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Valeriana sitchensis grow?
Valeriana sitchensis occurs in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt, Mariposa.
What plant family does Valeriana sitchensis belong to?
Valeriana sitchensis is in the Valerianaceae family, genus Valeriana.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.