Other names: Kiss-me-quick.
Family: Valerianaceae (Valerian family).
Native of South-eastern Europe.
Occurrence: Uncommon weed. Mostly as a garden escape.
Identification:
- the plant grows to about 30cm
- the leaves are lance-shaped and in opposite pairs
- the flowers are pink, and grow in terminal clusters
- the petals have a long (about 7 mm) narrow tube which opens to five spreading petals
- the base of the petal tube extends to a long (about 5mm) narrow spur
- each flower has a single anther which extends past the end of the petals.
Notes: It is widely cultivated as a garden plant, and for its supposed medicinal properties. It is a perennial.
Photos: 1. Red Valerian. Each
flower has a single anther which can be seen above the petals.
The spur extends backwards,below the rest of the petals.
2. Red Valerian growing on a weedy stream bank. Forest Creek.
2. Red Valerian growing on a weedy stream bank. Forest Creek.