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Centranthus ruber  (L.) DC.
Jupiter's beard,   Red valerian
© 2013 Zachary Mikalonis
© 2022 Justin Felder
© 2020 Deborah Dozier
© 2018 Keir Morse
© 2013 Zachary Mikalonis
© 2018 Tim Lewis
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2013 Harry Xi Huang
© 2021 Randy Huey
Centranthus ruber is an annual or perennial herb that is not native to California.
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Bloom Period
Genus: Centranthus
Family: Valerianaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Communities: escaped cultivar
Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS

Alternate Names:
PLANTSKentranthus ruber
POWOValeriana rubra
Information about  Centranthus ruber from other sources

[Wikipedia] Description, Ecology, Invasive Species: The blooms have a strong and somewhat rank scent. They are pollinated by both bees and butterflies and the plant is noted for attracting insects. It is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including angle shades. Seeds have tufts similar to dandelions that allow wind dispersal, and as such can self-seed freely and become invasive if not properly controlled. Invasive species It is listed as a NEMBA 1b invasive in the Western Cape, South Africa. It may not be owned, imported, grown, moved, sold, given as a gift or dumped in a waterway.[5][4][6] It requires compulsory control as part of an invasive species control programme to remove and destroy. The plants are deemed to have such a high invasive potential that infestations can qualify to be placed under a government sponsored invasive species management programme. No permits will be issued.[7] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).