Species: Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)
Family: Valerians (VALERIANACEAE)
Category: Flowering Plants
Location: NW
A. Flowering Plants
More extensive information on flowering plants can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Valerians (VALERIANACEAE)
The sweet-scented flowers of this family contrast with the malodorous foliage.
C. Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)
This species is native, but there is a cultivated form, and it is not clear which is which in the cemetery. The flowers of both forms may be red, pink or white, and they appear from April onwards. These flowers form a valuable food source for bumblebees and for the Hummingbird Hawk Moth whose long proboscis matches the tiny tube shape of the Red Valerian's flower. To see this close-up, you can hear Sir David Attenborough narrate glorious footage of the relationship between the Hummingbird Hawk Moth and Red Valerian in Episode 1 of Wild Isles on the BBC iPlayer. (Advance to the 18 minute 45 second mark.)
Valerian tincture is used to treat a variety of nervous disorders, stress, headache, insomnia, and menstrual problems. The leaf may be rubbed into cuts and scratches. It also allays pain and promotes sleep, and was used in World War II during the Blitz. Dried Valerian stems were used as peashooters, and the dried roots to freshen linen. The Pied Piper of Hamelin is supposed to have lured the rats from Hamelin with the Valerian in his pockets rather than through his pipe music.
Images
Red Valerian
Red Valerian is native, but there is a cultivated form, and it is not clear which is which in the cemetery.
Red Valerian
The flowers of both forms of Red Valerian may be red, pink or white, and they appear in May.
Red Valerian
Red Valerian, whether native or cultivated, provides much pollen for bumblebees in Heene Cemetery.
Red Valerian
Note the tiny tube shape of the Red Valerian's flower, a shape that the Hummingbird Hawk Moth, with its long proboscis, is well suited to.
