Flower profile
Common valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a flowering plant in the Caprifoliaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–August across the U.S.
Common valerian is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Maine it's most often seen in bloom in June–August.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Maine
Quick look
Valerian is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It is the type species of the genus Valeriana.
- It belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 21 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as not native to Maine. NatureServe
- In Maine, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–August. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 988 research-grade sightings of it in Maine, ranking #82 among the 160 flowers on our Maine list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
In Maine, most flowering sightings come in June–August.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
- Maine
- Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maine. Maine rare plant list
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension notes: “Roots for flavoring and as a tranquilizing herbal medicine” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records common valerian in 21 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Maine counties with USDA records: Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Waldo, York.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced.
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 140 counties across 17 states; the most are in New York (28), Michigan (17), Pennsylvania (15).
Other Valeriana on Bloomipedia (1): Sitka valerian.
More from the Caprifoliaceae family (18 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Amur honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, Wild teasel, Twinberry honeysuckle, Common snowberry, Pink honeysuckle, Coral honeysuckle, Twinflower.
More Maine flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile VAOF.
- iNaturalist, Valeriana officinalis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Valerian (herb) (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Maine: Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories.
- Maine: Maine Do Not Sell invasive plant list (01-001 C.M.R. ch. 273).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Valeriana officinalis (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Dawn Nelson via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.