Valeriana phu

Valeriana phu
Flowers form a cymose corymb
Foliage
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Valeriana
Species:
V. phu
Binomial name
Valeriana phu
Synonyms
  • Valeriana hortensis Lam.
  • Valeriana laeta Salisb
  • Valeriana laevicaulis Stokes

Valeriana phu, the golden spikenard, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to northern Turkey. A rhizomatous geophytic perennial reaching 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft), it has a cultivar, 'Aurea', that is widely available from commercial suppliers.

Its rhizome is sometimes known as V. Radix Majoris and is said to be frequently found mingled with those of valerian root (V. officinalis) in a traditional medicinal preparation offered for sale. It is from 4 to 6 inches long, 1/2 inch in thickness, brown and with a feeble, valerian-like odor and taste.

References

  1. 1 2 "Valeriana phu L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Valeriana phu golden spikenard". Find a plant. The Royal Horticultural Society. 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024. Other common names; Cretan spikenard, garden valerian
  3. ↑ "National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN): Valeriana phu L." Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Valeriana phu 'Aurea' golden spikenard 'Aurea'". Find a plant. The Royal Horticultural Society. 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024. 20 suppliers
  5. ↑ Grieve, Maud. "A Modern Herbal (botanical.com)". Retrieved 15 February 2025.