Valerianella carinata is now classed as an archeophyte (a plant introduced to the British Isles before 1500 AD) in New Flora of the British Isles Edition 3 (2010) by Clive Stace. In previous editions it was thought to be native.

Valerianella carinata can flower very early and late. I have found it in flower in February and in October after the seed had set, germinated and grown enough to produce Autumn flowers. Identification is a problem if only flowers and leaves are available because the difference between the Valerianella species cannot be reliably determined using these alone. So as in this case we amateur field botanists are often grateful to someone who has done the work of collecting the seeds, the shape of which can tell you which species is which.

Valerianella carinata is quite common in England and Wales particularly in the south and south west. It is less common from east Anglia northwards up the east side of mainland Britain. It is uncommon in the north of England and rare in Scotland while in Ireland it is mostly found near the south coast.

Great Orme, North Wales, 21st April 2006

Added on April 22nd 2005, updated 19th February 2012