Single Record

Participant Info

Species
Valeriana arizonica [Valeriana acutiloba var. ovata] [Valeriana ovata]
Family
Caprifoliaceae [Valerianaceae]
CommonName
Arizona valerian
Presence
YES
Status
native
EarliestDate
1992
LatestDate
2023
Ecosystem
montane
Geobotanical
NCristos
Counties
Alamosa, Saguache
Passes
WildlifePreserves
Other Localities
Comments
First collected from the Watershed by Hobie Dixon (14 June 1992) and Tim Hogan (22 June 1992), Arizona valerian has been recorded from steep forested canyon sides of the north Cristos—e.g., Cotton, San Isobel, North Crestone, Mosca, and Zapata creeks. After June, the flowers and seeds are gone and the flower can be located only by its basal leaves, which remain green all summer. In Colorado Valeriana arizonica also has scattered locations from similar habitat in Fremont, Huerfano, and El Paso counties. It was first collected from the Greenhorn Range by T. S. Brandegee in 1874. So the Watershed locations of Valeriana arizonica are on the northeastern edge of the USA distribution, which is centered in Arizona and New Mexico. The species is common in those states, and follows the Rio Grande drainage through New Mexico, and perhaps a little farther, into Texas (Culberson Co).