noun
tall rhizomatous plant having very fragrant flowers and rhizomes used medicinally (Freq. 1)
• Syn: ↑common valerian, ↑Valeriana officinalis
• Hypernyms: ↑valerian
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noun1. : a tall perennial rhizomatous herb (Valeriana officinalis) that is native to Europe and northern Asia but widely naturalized as an escape and has very fragrant tiny white, pinkish, lavender, or sometimes red flowers in large paniculate corymbs and roots and rhizomes which yield the drug valerian — called also valerian
2. : a shrubby Peruvian heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) widely cultivated in mild regions for its very fragrant usually lilac or violet flowers — called also common heliotrope
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the common valerian, Valeriana officinalis, esp. when cultivated as an ornamental.
[1900-05]
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garden heliotrope,
the common valerian.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.