Valeriana officinalis (root)

Introduction

Introduction from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriana_officinalis, retrieved 09/11/2012).

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers which bloom in the summer months. Valerian flower extracts were used as a perfume in the sixteenth century.

Native to Europe and parts of Asia, valerian has been introduced into North America. It is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Grey Pug.

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Macroscopic Entries

Valerian Botanical Voucher Specimen - Alkemists Laboratories Source: Botanical Voucher Specimen Library, Alkemists Laboratories Valerian Botanical Voucher Specimen - Alkemists Laboratories

Microscopic Entries

Parenchyma cells packed with starch 400X Acidified Chloral Hydrate Soln.The most distinctive element is the parenchyma cells packed with starch and the fragment of the root hair when viewed at 400X Acidified chloral Hydrate Soln. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories