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Enchanter's Nightshade Circaea lutetiana 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Two-Lipped FlowersTwo-lipped flowers
White FlowersWhite flowers
2 Petals2 petals
Jun-Sep Flowering
period
Delta-Shaped LeavesDelta-shaped leaves
Forwardly-Toothed LeavesForwardly-toothed leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
60cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Enchanter's Nightshade
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Enchanter's Nightshade is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, water margins and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 60cm.

Enchanter's Nightshade takes its name from the association of its genus name 'Circaea' with Circe, an enchantress in Greek mythology who used herbs and potions. Despite the name 'Nightshade' this plant is in the Evening Primrose family (Onagraceae) rather than the Nightshade family (Solanaceae).

Botanic classification and naming: Enchanter's Nightshade is a member of the Evening Primrose (Onagraceae) family. The genus name 'Circaea' identifies the plant as a Enchanter's Nightshade and its species name 'lutetiana' means 'Parisian plant'.

Concerns: A toxic plant, but with low toxicity compared with Woody Nightshade and Deadly Nightshade.

Benefits: Pollinated by Sweat bees, Small Carpenter bees, hoverflies and flies and a food source for deer and caterpillars of the Elephant Hawk Moth.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Enchanter's Nightshade

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Enchanter's Nightshade usually flowers between June and September.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour White

White

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Two-lipped

Two-lipped

Petals:

Petal Number =  2

2

Leaf of Enchanter's Nightshade

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Delta

Delta

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is forwardly-toothed

forwardly-toothed

Stem of Enchanter's Nightshade

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous