Valeriana rubra

Valeriana rubra (synonym Centranthus ruber), the red valerian,[2] spur valerian,[3] kiss-me-quick,[3] fox's brush,[3] devil's beard[4] or Jupiter's beard,[3] is a popular garden plant grown for its ornamental flowers.

Seeds have tufts similar to dandelions that allow wind dispersal, and as such can self-seed freely and become invasive if not properly controlled.

Valeriana rubra is native of the Mediterranean region, ranging from Portugal and Spain to France, Italy, former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece and European Turkey, and from Morocco to Algeria and Tunisia.

It is naturalised in France, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man and the United States.

In the US it can be found growing wild in such western states as Arizona, Utah, California, Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon, usually in disturbed, rocky places at elevations below 200 m. It is often seen by roadsides or in urban wasteland.

Closeup of inflorescence
Growing atop old walls in Ireland
White form of
Showing both petioled and sessile leaf forms.
Three common colour forms of Valeriana rubra