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Enchanters Nightshade Circaea lutetiana subsp. canadensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Circaea canadensis
Description

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:
Tags:
#white flowers#dappled shade#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native wildflower#naturalized area#part shade#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#dappled shade#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native wildflower#naturalized area#part shade#woodland
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Mostly hairless green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden