Herb to about 40 cm tall. Leaves to about 7 cm long, linear to oblong or lanceolate, the lower ones spoon-shaped, the margins entire to wavy or with a few teeth. Flowers in lilac heads, the calyx a small tooth above each ovary chamber. Fruits in dense heads.

Europe

In Europe this species is grown as a salad crop and is available in a range of leaf form and colour cultivars.

Several species, V. eriocarpa, V. discoidea, V. muricata and V. locusta, have become weedy on disturbed or cultivated ground in cooler areas of Australia.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Valerianaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.