DESCRIPTION

Herbaceous plant 20 to 60 cm high with upright hollow stems, pubescent only below the leaf bases. Oval basal leaves 2 to 6 cm long, thinning at the level of the long petiole. Edges of leaves whole or toothed and short-haired. Stem leaves opposite the shorter petiole, also whole or toothed. Many pink flowers, rarely almost white, gathered in hemispherical corymbs at the end of the stem. The fruits are tiny hazelnuts crowned with sepals.

​

HISTORY

According to some authors, its name comes from the Latin "valere" which means "to feel good, to be healthy".

​

HABITAT

Widespread in the Pre-Alps and Limestone Alps; scree from rocks, forests; still on limestone and humus-rich soils; between 500 and about 2000 m above sea level.

​

PARTICULARITIES

Its root contains sedative substances; some alpine populations prepare these roots macerated in white wine.

​

​