Over a hundred and fifty species of Valerian exist worldwide. Typically, Valerian is found growing in moist, damp locations. This herb seems to prefer the soil near rivers, lakes, marshes, and streams. There are exceptions to this generalization as Valerian has been found thriving in dry, elevated country locations, and nested in remote roadside ditches. The small, slightly pinkish flowers of Valerian can be seen teetering atop the stems, branching out at heights of between three to four feet tall. Generally, the Valerian plant flowers in late summer between the months of June and August. These charming tubular flowers have a semi-sweet fragrance consisting of five lobed petals that contain three stamens. Valerian’s capsule formed fruit contains a flat singular, oblong seed.

Moving anatomically downward from the flower, Valerian displays pairs of pinnate, lanceolate shaped leaves. The leaves of Valerian grow about two and a half inches long and are serrated around the edges. Pairs of these leaves can vary in quantity and width. Some plants can present up to ten pairs of either narrow or broad leaves.

Underneath the hairy base of the hollow, round-shaped green stem nests the root of valerian, which is the most commonly used part of the plant. The root is an upright rhizome, grey to yellow in color, with several hard tubular shaped branches that thin threaded roots grow from. The inside of the thick root is a light-greyish brown color.

The charming array of beautiful, umbelled flowers from Valerian can be found growing from June to as late as September. Generally, Valerian will not flower in it's first year of growth but will develop a medicinal root that may be harvested in the fall. Anyone planning to harvest the blossoming herb should cut the tops of the flowers off as they begin to appear at the top of the stem. This enables the rhizome to be enriched so full medicinal value is ensured. Dried, dead flowers are an indication that such potency is contained in the root. The dry root of Valerian is known worldwide not only for it's powerful chemical constituents, but also for it's strong, pungent smell.