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Service Notice

The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The notice period started at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 +08:00 and will end at 12:00 pm on Friday, 1 January 2027 +08:00.

Centranthus ruber (L.) DC.
Red Valerian

Reference
Lam. & DC., Fl.Franç. Ed.3,4:239 (1805)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Perennial, herb or shrub, 0.3-1 m high. Fl. pink/pink-red/white, Jul or Oct to Dec or Jan to Mar. Loam over granite, black or calcareous sand, laterite. Granite outcrops, slopes, roadsides.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 1 April 1997

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
IMCRA Regions
WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Armadale, Augusta Margaret River, Boddington, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Busselton, Collie, Denmark, Esperance, Kalamunda, Manjimup, Plantagenet, Rockingham.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Valerian, Red Spur Valerian, Jupiter's Beard.

General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Primarily seed, also rhizomes. Dispersal. Contaminated soil, garden waste.

Notes. Widely cultivated as an ornamental. Self-seeds and frequently becomes naturalised from planted areas. Flowers are monoecious (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees, moths and butterflies. Prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Drought tolerant when established. Can tolerate salt exposure. Generally long-lived. Several forms are cultivated including 'albus' a compact white flowering form, 'coccineus' dark red fowering and 'roseus' with rose pink flowers.

Additional information. Origin. Mediterranean. History of use/introduction. Ornamental, cut flower.

Suggested method of management and control. Seedlings may be handpulled and smaller plants grubbed out. Try metsulfuron methyl 0.15 g/10 L (5 g/ha) + Pulse® before flowering OR Logran® at 12.5 g/100L + the penetrant Pulse ® is very effective on adults and juveniles with little offtarget damage in coastal heathlands. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Active Growth         U U U U U U U    
Germination           U U U U        
Flowering Y Y Y             Y Y Y  
Fruiting Y Y Y                 Y  
Manual Removal Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Herbicide Treatment           Y Y Y Y O      

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Branca, F. (1998) The germination process in two species of ornamental interest: Centranthus ruber DC. and Euphorbia characias L. Sementi Elette, 44: 25-30.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Starr, F., Starr, K. & Loope, L. (2003) Centranthus ruber, Red Valerian, Valerianaceae. URL: http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/pdf/centranthus_ruber.pdf - Accessed March 2010.
  • Swarbrick, J.T. & Skarratt, D.B. (1994) The bushweed 2 database of environmental weeds in Australia. The University of Queensland, Gatton College.