Sitka Valerian
Valeriana sitchensis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus:
- Valeriana
- Species:
- Valeriana sitchensis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- White
Native Range
United States: Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Forest bumble bee (Bombus sylvicola), Forest bumble bee (Bombus sylvicola), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers cool, shaded environments
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold moist stratification for 5 months outdoors or in a cooler at about 35 F. Longer stratification times should be tested for this species.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in mid September when achenes turn tan and are easily separated from the receptacle. They are collected in paper bags. Ripe seeds collected generally when pappus-like 'plumules' or plumose calyx appendages, are beginning to unfurl are best: seeds shatter and blow away easily once these have opened. However if collected too early we found incomplete seed fill.
Source: npn.rngr.net