Valeriana sp.
Valerian, Valerian
Family: Valerianaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Valeriana sp. (Valerian) is a native California perennial in the Valerianaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Valeriana sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Valeriana sp. belong to?
Valeriana sp. is in the Valerianaceae family, genus Valeriana.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Valeriana californica — California valerian
- Valeriana occidentalis — Western valerian
- Valeriana pubicarpa — Mountain valerian
- Valeriana sitchensis — Sitka valerian
- Valeriana sitchensis subsp. scouleri
- Valeriana sitchensis subsp. sitchensis
- Valerianaceae sp. — Valerian family
- Valerianella carinata — Corn salad
- Valerianella locusta — Corn salad
- Valerianella sp. — Corn salad
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.