Common valerian
Valeriana officinalis
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Fire effect on plant
This species is likely to be top-killed by fire with belowground buds surviving.
Key traits
Common valerian is herbaceous and grows from an underground rhizome and has fibrous roots and stolons at the soil surface. Its ability to reproduce vegetatively via stolons allows it to spread vigorously and form dense clumps, that gradually expand outward. It also spreads vigorously via wind-dispersed seeds (Sádlo et al 2018). Fire effects on seed viability are unknown.
Plant response to fire
The response of this species to fire is not described in the literature. However, its belowground rhizomes and ability to spread rapidly via reproduction and vegetative growth suggests this species will tolerate fire and may colonize bare ground produced by fire rapidly.
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to August.
Conservation status
None.
References
Klimešová, J., Danihelka, J., Chrtek, J., de Bello, F. and Herben, T. 2017. CLO-PLA: a database of clonal and budbank traits of the Central European flora. Ecology 98: 1179. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Sádlo, J., Chytrý, M., Pergl, J. and Pyšek, P. 2018. Plant dispersal strategies: a new classification based on multiple dispersal modes of individual species. Preslia 90: 1–22. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]