Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri
Photo: parent species Valeriana sitchensis · (c) giantcicada, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Valerianaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri is a native California perennial in the Valerianaceae family.
Sitka valerian is a California native perennial found in northern coastal California, the Klamath Ranges, and northern North Coast Ranges in moist cliffs and streambank habitats at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with slender stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, it features primarily basal leaves with distinctive ovate to round leaflets. Its leaves typically have delicate, fine-toothed margins and become smaller and more reduced along the stem. The fruit is small, measuring 4 to 6 millimeters long and shaped like a narrow lance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; elevation and flower size key differentiators
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist cliffs, streambanks
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Mariposa
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri blooms Apr-Jun.
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 subsp. scouleri native to California?
Yes. Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri bloom?
Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri grow?
Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Mariposa, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri belong to?
Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri is in the Valerianaceae family, genus Valeriana.
What habitat does Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri grow in?
Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri grows in Moist cliffs, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.