Thomas J. Elpel's Web World Portal Wildflowers & Weeds | Wildflowers-and-Weeds.com Plant Identification, Foraging, and Ecology with Thomas J. Elpel Home | Plant Identification | Plant Families Gallery | Edible Plants | Mushrooms | Links Desertification & Weed Ecology | Weed Profiles | Search this Site |
Valerianaceae North American members of this family have small flowers in clusters. The flowers can be bisexual or unisexual, regular or slightly irregular. The sepals are inconspicuous. There are 5 united petals, often with a spur at the base of the flower. There are 1 to 4 stamens. The ovary is positioned inferior and consists of 3 united carpels (tricarpellate) but aborts two, forming just 1 chamber. It produces an achene (a dry seed). Worldwide, there are 13 genera and 400 species. Three genera are found in North America. Red valerian (Centranthus) is cultivated. Key Words: Plants with basal and opposite leaves. Please e-mail Thomas J. Elpel to report mistakes or to inquire about purchasing high resolution photos of these plants.
There are more
Return to the Plant Families Index |
Looking for life-changing resources? Check out these books by Thomas J. Elpel:
|
|