Enchanters Nightshade Circaea lutetiana subsp. canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Circaea canadensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- sir-KAY-ah loo-te-tee-AH-na kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
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Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade is a herbaceous perennial in the Onagraceae (evening primrose) family. It is found in woodland settings in dappled sunlight or medium shade. It grows in rich moist to medium-dry soils and spreads by short rhizomes and seeds. The small white flowers bloom in the summer.
This native wildflower can be used in a woodland setting, naturalized area or shady garden.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Circaea
- Species:
- lutetiana
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It has been used to treat wounds
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Eastern USA and parts of Canada
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Oval 2-chambered seed capsule covered with hooked hairs that can attach themselves to animal fur or clothing for dispersal.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny white flowers appear mid to late summer and have two sepals, two cleft petals that appear to be 4, two long stamens, and one pistil
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oblong to egg-shaped leaves up to 5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide with a pointed tip, toothed margins and rounded base on a long stalk. The upper surface is smooth while the lower surface is paler and softer with fine whitish hair. The teeth have a tiny whitish tip.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Mostly hairless green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
