Βαλεριάνα η ιταλική
Etymology of Valeriana italica: The genus's name "Valeriana" derives from the Latin "valere", meaning "to be strong, healthy", referring to its healing properties. "Italica" means "of Italy", referring to the region it was initially recorded.
This is the one and only Valeriana kind encountered in the wild Cypriot habitat.
Valeriana italica, despite the fact that it can be found almost in all the districts of Cyprus (there is a question mark about the Nicosia district), is actually a scarce plant to encounter. I have spotted it only in Trozena village (Lemesos) and Pretori village (or Praitori, Pafos). It is a perennial tuberous herb, growing up to 1 m high. Valeriana italica grows at an altitude of up to 1525 metres, mostly in rocky places. Depending on the altitude, its brief flowering period occurs somewhere between February and May.
