---
{
  "id": "red-valerian",
  "name": "Red valerian",
  "scientific": "Centranthus ruber",
  "category": "xeriscape",
  "status": "Introduced drought-tolerant ornamental",
  "status_sources": [
    "N-centranthus-ruber"
  ],
  "warning": "Self-seeds beyond garden beds",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "Jupiter's beard",
    "Valeriana rubra"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "The retrieved NC State source now treats Centranthus ruber as Valeriana rubra. The familiar garden name is retained for discovery; it is not Valeriana officinalis.",
  "source_ids": [
    "N-centranthus-ruber"
  ],
  "description": "Red valerian: Self-seeds beyond garden beds. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-centranthus-ruber"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "red-valerian-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-centranthus-ruber"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "red-valerian-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "This guide does not assess ingestion safety or medicinal use.",
      "id": "red-valerian-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "red-valerian-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "red-valerian-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "red-valerian-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "red-valerian-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "red-valerian-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/red-valerian.md"
}
---

# Red valerian

*Centranthus ruber*

**Introduced drought-tolerant ornamental.** [N-centranthus-ruber](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centranthus-ruber/)

> **Self-seeds beyond garden beds.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** The retrieved NC State source now treats Centranthus ruber as Valeriana rubra. The familiar garden name is retained for discovery; it is not Valeriana officinalis.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Upright stem with opposite smooth leaves and several pink-red flower clusters on a rocky slope.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-centranthus-ruber-03.jpg)

**habit** — Upright stem with opposite smooth leaves and several pink-red flower clusters on a rocky slope.

Photo: Robert Flogaus-Faust; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centranthus_ruber_2_RF.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Centranthus_ruber_2_RF.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Smooth upright stem with opposite lance-shaped leaves and pink flower clusters in bud and bloom.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-centranthus-ruber-05.jpg)

**leaf and flower** — Smooth upright stem with opposite lance-shaped leaves and pink flower clusters in bud and bloom.

Photo: Christian Ferrer; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centranthus_ruber,_S%C3%A8te_01.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Centranthus_ruber%2C_S%C3%A8te_01.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![White tubular flowers alongside a fruit with a spreading feathery plume.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-centranthus-ruber-09.jpg)

**flower and fruit** — White tubular flowers alongside a fruit with a spreading feathery plume.

Photo: Forest & Kim Starr; [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_030805-0035_Centranthus_ruber.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Starr_030805-0035_Centranthus_ruber.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

Clusters of small red, pink or white flowers above opposite, fleshy leaves. [N-centranthus-ruber](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centranthus-ruber/)

## Plants & habitat

Wind-dispersed seed can naturalize beyond a garden. Deadheading reduces spread; drought tolerance is not evidence that a plant is ecologically suitable everywhere. [N-centranthus-ruber](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centranthus-ruber/)

## People

This guide does not assess ingestion safety or medicinal use. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **N-centranthus-ruber** — [Centranthus ruber — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centranthus-ruber/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:59+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=red-valerian) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

The retrieved NC State source now treats Centranthus ruber as Valeriana rubra. The familiar garden name is retained for discovery; it is not Valeriana officinalis.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| red-valerian-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-centranthus-ruber | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| red-valerian-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-centranthus-ruber | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| red-valerian-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | This guide does not assess ingestion safety or medicinal use. |
| red-valerian-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| red-valerian-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/red-valerian/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/red-valerian/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/red-valerian/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json