valerian

n. [ LL. valeriana, perhaps from some person named Valerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong. powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues: cf. F. valériane. ] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Valeriana. The root of the officinal valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in medicine as an antispasmodic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Greek valerian (Bot.), a plant (Polemonium caeruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of the officinal valerian. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of a natural order (Valerianaceae) of which the valerian is the type. The order includes also the corn salads and the oriental spikenard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A valerate. [ 1913 Webster ]