Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Valerianaceae ⟩ Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia / creeping valerian

Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia (J. C. Mikan ex Pohl) W. R. Hayw.

creeping valerian (Valerianaceae)

 (No geographical data available.)
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Synonym | Valeriana excelsa Poir.

Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia has fewer leaflets per leaf than V. officinalis subsp. collina; they are toothed and the terminal leaflet is much larger than the others.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2009-06-19

 creeping valerian / Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia: _Valeriana officinalis_ subsp. _sambucifolia_ has fewer leaflets per leaf than _V. officinalis_ subsp. _collina_; they are toothed and the terminal leaflet is much larger than the others.

The stem-leaves of Valeriana officinalis are opposite and imparipinnate, a feature shared with few other herbs (although the infrequent Sambucus ebulus is quite similar).

Kennington (VC22: Berkshire); 2013-07-09

 creeping valerian / Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia: The stem-leaves of _Valeriana officinalis_ are opposite and imparipinnate, a feature shared with few other herbs (although the infrequent _Sambucus ebulus_ is quite similar).

Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia is the more widespread subspecies, found in marshy areas.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2011-07-02

 creeping valerian / Valeriana officinalis subsp. sambucifolia: _Valeriana officinalis_ subsp. _sambucifolia_ is the more widespread subspecies, found in marshy areas.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne