There is no missing this distinctive Red Valerian when it is in full flower throughout most of the summer months, particularly as it clings to the walls of an ancient castle or monument. It is native to the Mediterranean and is now a popular garden plant. It has thick, erect stems, often branched at the top.
The pinkish red flowers of this elegant, rather uncommon orchid, brighten the woods and copses it inhabits. The sepals and petals are alike, finely tapered to a point, the lateral sepals spreading like wings. The central lip has very fine yellow markings. The alternate, pale green leaves are narrow and tapered, each folded along its length.
This common weed is most easily recognized by the dark patch in the centre of the leaves, although this is not always present. The leaves of Redshank are otherwise rather plain, spear-shaped, untoothed, and almost stalkless. The often reddish stems bear numerous small spikes of tiny pink flowers in the leaf axils, each flower seeming to remain tightly closed.
