Woods Valerian
VU

Woods Valerian

Valeriana dioica

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriana_dioica

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Woods Valerian faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and drainage of wetland habitats across its European range. The species' specialized requirement for calcareous fens and wet meadows makes it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes and nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting natural recolonization of suitable sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

Woods Valerian inhabits calcareous fens, wet meadows, and marshy grasslands, typically in areas with alkaline soils and consistent moisture levels. The species shows a strong preference for nutrient-poor wetland environments and is often found in association with other specialized fen plants.

Other threatened species in Caprifoliaceae

Narrow-fruited CornsaladVU

Narrow-fruited Cornsalad

Valerianella dentata

Unknown
Small ScabiousEN

Small Scabious

Scabiosa columbaria

Unknown
EN

Florida valerian

Valeriana scandens

Unknown
EN

Keeled-fruited Cornsalad

Valerianella carinata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Woods Valerian classified as Vulnerable?
Woods Valerian is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Woods Valerian faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and drainage of wetland habitats across its European range. The species' specialized requirement for calcareous fens and wet meadows makes it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes and nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting natural recolonization of suitable sites.
Where does Woods Valerian live?
Woods Valerian occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Woods Valerian?
The main threats to Woods Valerian are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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