<p>Valeriana arizonica</p><p>By Diane Danowski, Native Plants of Arizona 2004 Common names: gray Arizona valerian(4), tobacco root(1) Family: Valerianaceae (4) Synonymy: Valeriana acutiloba Rydb.var. ovata (Rydb) A. Nels., Valeriana ovata Rydb (4) Etymology: Valeriana meaning health, derived from a medieval name for its medicinal use. Arizonica referring to its distribution (5).</p><p>Identification Growth form: forb/herb (4) Roots: long, thin lateral roots that extend from tuber node Stem: smooth, hollow (1), ranges 15-45cm height, glabrous or puberulent especially at nodes (3). Leaves: compound, opposite leaves, no stipules, dark green in color, basal leaves are thin, broadly elliptical and approximately 2in long, stem leaves are clasping arrow shaped, divided into a pair or pairs of narrow lobes with terminal lobe being the largest approximately 2.5in long (1,3). Flowers: pinkish white to lavender, tubular, irregular, 5 lobes, white stamens (usually 3), anthers extend beyond lobes, inferior 3-celled ovary, ¼in wide, 1in long in rounded clusters 2in wide (1). Fruit: achenelike, 1-seeded (3). Similar Species: Valeriana edulis, Valeriana sorbifolia, Valeriana acutiloba (3)</p><p>Ecology Life History: herbaceous perennial (4) Native/Introduced: native to the United States (4) Photosynthetic pathway: Phenology: flowers April to July usually reaches a height of 12-14in Distribution: Ranges across the following counties in the state of Arizona; Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo and Apache with an elevation range of 4,500- 8000 ft. Typical of coniferous forests with rich soils (1).</p><p>Uses Historically used as a food source by Native Americans (1). Several Valerian species have sedative properties in their roots. Roots have been used medicinally to treat against restlessness, sleeplessness, minor nervous conditions, and symptoms of menopause, anxiety related to premenstrual syndrome, gastrointestinal pain and spastic colitis (5).</p><p>References</p><p>1. Epple, A. 1995. A Field guide to the Plants of Arizona. Globe Pequot Press. Guilford Connecticut.</p><p>2. Gledhill, D. 1989. The Names of Plants 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press. New York.</p><p>3. Kearney, T. 1942. Flowering plants and ferns of Arizona. US Government Printing Office. Washington, (858-860).</p><p>4. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5. (http://plants.usda.gov). National </p><p>5. Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70874-4490 USA.</p><p>6. Van Wky, B., & Wink, M. 2004. Medicinal Plants of the World. Timber Press. Portland Oregon.</p>