Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial flowering plant: Red valerian is a European herbaceous plant (Centranthus ruber) known for its clusters of small, fragrant flowers, which are typically crimson but can also be white or pink. It is commonly grown in gardens and often found on walls and rocky places.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old stone wall was covered in a beautiful display of red valerian.
  • She planted red valerian in her rock garden because it is drought-tolerant.
  • Despite its name, red valerian is not closely related to the true valerian used in herbal medicine.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical or horticultural writing, "red valerian" is used to specify this particular species within the Caprifoliaceae family, distinguishing it from other plants with "valerian" in their common name.
  • The study compared the pollinator attraction of red valerian to that of its white-flowered variant.

Variants and Related Words

• Centranthus ruber: The botanical Latin name for red valerian.
• Jupiter's beard: A common alternative name for the same plant.
• Spur valerian: Another name referencing the spurred shape of its flowers.

Synonyms

• Jupiter's beard
• Spur valerian
• Centranthus ruber (scientific name)

Notes on Meaning

• The "red" in the name is descriptive but can be misleading, as the flowers are also commonly found in white and pink shades.
• It is important to distinguish this ornamental garden plant from "valerian" (), which is a different genus used for its medicinal roots.

Noun

1. European herb with small fragrant crimson or white spurred flowers