Polemonium caeruleum
n 1: pinnate-leaved European perennial having bright blue or
white flowers [syn: {Jacob's ladder}, {Greek valerian},
{charity}, {Polemonium caeruleum}, {Polemonium van-
bruntiae}, {Polymonium caeruleum van-bruntiae}]
Valerian \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 ({Valeriana officinalis}) has a strong smell, and is
much used in medicine as an antispasmodic.
[1913 Webster]
{Greek valerian} (Bot.), a plant ({Polemonium caeruleum})
with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of
the officinal valerian.
[1913 Webster]