Cats are exceedingly fond of valerian

Cats are exceedingly fond of valerian

Cats are exceedingly fond of valerian

"Cats are exceedingly fond of valerian (V. officinalis), and in Topsell's 'Four-footed Beasts' (1658, p. 81), we find the following curious remarks: 'The root of the herb valerian (called Phu), is very like to the eye of a cat, and wheresoever it groweth, if cats come thereunto, they instantly dig it up for the love thereof, as I myself have seen in mine own garden, for it smelleth moreover like a cat.' There is also an English rhyme on the plant marum to the following effect:

If you see it,
The cats will eat it;
If you sow it,
The cats will know it.