Previously grown as Centranthus ruber

Plants of the World online, Kew Science http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:860141-1 Link

Mentioned in traditional herbals as being a nervine. However there is some question that Valerian rubra may have been confused with Valeriana officinalis, the roots of which have been used for their sedative properties. Grieve writes in her herbal that 'The Red-Spur Valerian, a plant with lance-shaped, untoothed leaves and red flowers with a spur at the base, grouped in dense clusters, must not be confounded with the true medicinal Valerian, though the mistake is often made. It is destitute of the properties of the official Valerian, and is not usefully applied in England, though in some parts of Continental Europe the leaves are eaten. They are exceedingly good in salad, or cooked as a vegetable, and in France there is a sale for the roots for soups.'

Grieve, Mrs M. (1931). A Modern Herbal, Penguin. Leyel, Mrs CF P.830

Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco

Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria

Africa, Northern Africa, Tunisia

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey

Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy

Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain