Valeriana has centers of diversity in Eurasia and South America (especially in the Andes), and is represented by native species on all continents except Antarctica.

[3] The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Roman emperor Publius Licinius Valerianus who was said to use the plant as medicine.

[5][6] 32 previously recognized genera, including Centranthus, Fedia, and Plectritis, are now considered synonyms of Valeriana.

[7] Valeriana species are herbaceous perennials with woody roots, producing stems bearing fine hairs and trifoliolate, pinnate leaves with serrated edges.The flowers are borne in cymes Drying leads to plant material developing a strong, musky odour which has been likened to that of the scent glands of male cats.

[9] As of July 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepts over 435 species and hybrids, including:[1] This Dipsacales article is a stub.