Centranthus ruber subsp. ruber
Environmental Weed (2024)
Common names
red valerian, spur valerian
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Valerianaceae
Ecology
Flowering
November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June
Year naturalised
1878
Origin
S.W. Europe, Mediterranean
Reason for introduction
Ornamental.
Life cycle and dispersal
Centranthus self-seeds freely.
Other information
Etymology
centranthus: From the Greek kentron meaning ‘spur’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’; refers to the flower having a spur-like base
Environmental Weed (2024)
This plant is named in a list of 386 environmental weeds in New Zealand 2024 prepared by DOC. 759 candidate species were considered for inclusion on this new comprehensive list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. The species considered were drawn from published lists of weed species, lists of plants that must be reported or managed by law if observed, existing national and regional programmes and agreements for pest management, and species already managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Candidate species were then assessed to see if they were fully naturalised and whether they have more than minor impacts in natural ecosystems. Read the full report here.