Tobacco Root (Valeriana ciliata)

Family: Valerianaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Valeriana ciliata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Root - cooked. The odoriferous root is slowly baked for 2 days and then eaten as a vegetable, used in soups or made into a bread. — The odoriferous root is slowly baked for 2 days and then eaten as a vegetable, used in soups or made into a bread.

Habitat & North American Range

Prairies, sloughs and hillsides. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)