Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) is a perennial herb or small shrub, native to the Mediterranean region. It is widely naturalised in central and western Europe. It has more recently been introduced to the rest of the world as a garden plant, and has naturalised in parts of Australia and the United States. It has been grown in Britain since before 1597 and was first recorded in the wild here in 1763.
The stems grow to 80cm (33 inches) and are woody at the base. Here, the fleshy pale green leaves are lance-shaped, up to 10cm (3 inches) long and have stalks. At the top of the stems the leaves are shorter and rounder, and do not have stalks.
From April to October, the abundant small flowers form a large frothy pinkish-red head to a greyish plant. Individual flowers are five-petalled, 4-6mm (1/4 inch) across, and have a long corolla tube and an even longer spur. They are hermaphrodite, having both male and female organs. The plant is strongly scented (some people find them fragrant, others claim they smell like perspiration or cats), and it is good for attracting insects. The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued insects, especially bees, moths and butterflies, and the leaves are the food-plant of moths such as Angle Shades.
The plant reproduces freely, producing a small seed with a pappus for dispersal by the wind.
The plant is deciduous, and overwinters as a dormant root. It is frost hardy down to -10C provided that the soil is dry or well-drained. It will not survive the cold in damp conditions.
It has been planted to control erosion on road-cuttings and hillsides. The root system creates an underground web that holds the soil in place.
It can tolerate slightly acid to very alkaline soils, and so has become widely naturalised on sea cliffs, limestone rock outcrops and pavement, rocky waste ground, in quarries, on railway banks, and other well drained, open and disturbed habitats. The high concentration of lime in mortar does not discourage it, so it grows freely on old walls and buildings and is often abundant in villages and towns, especially in the south-west of Britain. It can tolerate both drought and maritime conditions, but does not like shade.
The leaves can be eaten raw in a salad or lightly boiled as greens. The roots can be used in soups. Opinions differ on whether they are “exceeding good” or “rather bitter”.
There are some claims for red valerian to have medicinal properties. However, there is no evidence for this but it has probably been confused with common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) which has a strong action on the nervous system.
There are also claims that the seeds were once used in embalming fluids, however this may be confusion with spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) which was used in ancient Egyptian embalming and was also known as false valerian root.
Red Valerian has a variety of local names including kiss-me-quick, Keys of Heaven, Jupiter’s Beard, cat’s wee, and Ventnor Pride (on the Isle of Wight, UK)
