Valerianaceae

17 gen. trop., Mediterranean.

Centranthus Neck. ex Lam. & DC.

2 species naturalized Aust.; all states and territories

*Centranthus ruber (L.) DC.

Annual or perennial herbs, glabrous, young leaves glaucous. Leaves 3–12 mm long, opposite, narrow elliptic to oblanceolate, petiolate or sessile and stem clasping. Flowers pink to red or sometimes white. Calyx with 10 to 12 lobes. Corolla tube 7–11 mm long. Fruit compressed topped with feather like calyx. Occasional garden escape. Introd. from Europe and Asia. Fl. spring-summer. Red Valerian