Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Corn salad and relatives
VALERIANACEAE
The valerian family is composed of eight genera and about 400 species, most of which are
found in the temperate climes of the northern hemisphere. Plants have mostly opposite (pin-
nate) leaves and tapering stamens. Seeds develop a characteristic aroma as they dry. The
best-known genera for gardeners are
Valeriana
, of which garden valerian is a member, and
Valerianella
, which includes corn salad. The roots of garden valerian are dried for their es-
sential oils and administered in the form of valerian drops as a calmative.
Valerianella
liter-
ally means “small valerian,” and many plants of this genus are known by the common name
corn salad, though most often corn salad is associated specifically with
V. locusta
.
CORN SALAD
Valerianella locusta
Corn salad (also known as lamb's lettuce or mâche) got its name from its appearance as a weed in grain
fields. Rosettes can be harvested in winter and early spring down to zone 5. The plant contains vitamins
A and C, and folklore holds that it can hold spring fever at bay.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 50 plants (approx. 10-12 ft.
2
[1 m
2
])
POLLINATION NOTES
Corn salad is self-fertile but cross-pollinates readily through insects. Its flowers
are perfect. Spatial isolation: distances of 100-175 ft. (30-50 m) are typically sufficient between two
varieties in a diversely planted garden plot, especially if there are taller plants in between. Temporal
isolation: in zones 5 and above, one variety can be planted in the autumn and one in spring, which res-
ults in the two varieties flowering at different times, thus eliminating the possibility of cross-pollination.
Corn salad seeds
