Valeriana dioica - Marsh Valerian - (Valerianaceae)

This plant is widespread throughout the southern part of the UK but absent from the far north of Scotland and also from Ireland. It is also found in many northern and central European countries.

Marsh Valerian

Permanently wet land such as fens and bogs is the favoured habitat of Marsh Valerian which is common water-side plant. This plant is easily distinguished from the very pale pink roadside wildflower Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) by the tighter flower clusters and deeper pink colour of the flowers.

Plants with the name dioica (literally meaning 'two houses') have both male and female flowers on separate plants. The male flowers, shown above, are almost twice the size of the tiny female ones.

This specimen was photographed in Wales in May.