Scientific Name: Valeriana jatamansi Jones

Family: Valerianaceae
Nepali Name: सुगन्धवाल (Sugandhawal)
English Name: Valerian

It is a perennial, aromatic herb that grows up to 50cm in height with a thick rootstock (rhizome). Its underground rhizome is 2–7 cm long, strong, woody, unbranched, brown, and very strongly scented (smells like an animal), possessing fine roots. Basal leaves are long-petioled, ovate, acuminate, dentate or sinuate; cauline leaves are short-petioled, opposite, and small. Flowers are white or tinged with pink in terminal corymbs. The rhizome spreads parallel to the ground surface, rooting. Flowering in March-May (Chaitra-Jestha).