English▸ noun a Eurasian plant which typically bears clusters of small pink or white flowers.
Family Valerianaceae: several species, in particular common valerian (Valeriana officinalis), a valued medicinal herb, and the Mediterranean red valerian (Centranthus ruber), grown for its spurred flowers which attract butterflies.
▪ [mass noun] a drug obtained from the root of common valerian, used as a sedative and antispasmodic.
– ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French valeriane, from medieval Latin valeriana (herba), apparently the feminine of Valerianus ‘of Valerius’ (a personal name).