Revision of genus Valeriana (Valerianaceae) in Southern South America

Abstract

The genus Valeriana is the most diverse of the Valerianaceae family and is widely distributed in temperate northern hemisphere, Africa and South America, presenting in the Andean region an important center of secondary diversification. This work includes the review of species of southern South America based on material from Argentina and Chile south of latitude 33° S. Forty species of Valeriana are described for this region, references of published illustrations are given and a key is provided for their identification. New synonymies and lectotypes based on the study of type material are included. Notes on phenology, geographic distribution and habitat, additional material examined, distinguishing characters and taxonomic affinities are also given. Some species had not been reported previously for Argentina or Chile.