Edible Valeriana
Valeriana edulis

Family: Caprifoliaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1-2 m high. It has a strong smell. The stem is four sided. It has a large long root. It is carrot shaped. The leaves are opposite. There are only a few leaves along the stem. Young leaves can have soft hairs. The flowers are yellow, pink or white. It has a large fleshy edible root. It is bright yellow. The fruit are egg shaped.

Also put in the family Valerianaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally along streams in the Rocky Mountains in the United States of America.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are baked or steamed and eaten. They are steamed for 24 hours to remove the unpleasant odour. They can be used in salads, soups, stews or fried. They can be dried and made into flour. The seeds are also eaten.

It is an important staple food.

Edible parts

Roots, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bitterroot, Tap-rooted valerian, Tobacco-root

Synonyms

Patrinia ceratophylla Hook.f.; Valeriana furfurescens A. Nelson; Valeriana trachycarpa Rydb.;