This rhizomatous plant with pinnately lobed leaves occurs in east-central states from s. Pa. and Va. to s. Ill. and Mo., but it is absent from most of the Appalachian region. It is largely restricted to relatively undisturbed woods on moist fertile soil along stream terraces and toeslopes. Mature fruits of Valeriana are remarkable yet often overlooked: "the several calyx lobes apparent and becoming elongated and more or less plumose-hairy (resembling a pappus)" (Y). The whole inflorescence of pauciflora matures gradually during June (more or less), with only a few fruits dispersing each day. Although Eurasian species of Valeriana (especially officinalis) are well known to have potent medicinal and aromatic properties, there has been virtually no record of such uses for pauciflora, and no published chemical analysis of this species. Unfortunately Short (1828-29) did not include it in his notes on central Ky.. Rafinesque (1828-30) stated: "Leaves edible in sallad. Root may be tried in nervous diseases, perhaps eq. of V. officinalis". Riddell (1834-35) stated: "tonic, anti-spasmodic and vermifugal (?)".