\Va*le"ri*an\, n. [LL. valeriana, perhaps from some
person named Valerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong.
powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues: cf. F.
val['e]riane.] (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Valeriana}. The root of the officinal
valerian ({V. officinalis}) has a strong smell, and is much
used in medicine as an antispasmodic.
{Greek valerian} (Bot.), a plant ({Polemonium c[ae]ruleum})
   with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of
   the officinal valerian.