Enchanter's Nightshade

Plant Info

Also known as:	Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade
Scientific name:	Circaea lutetiana
Family:	Evening Primrose (Onagraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	shade; moist woods, thickets
Bloom season:	late spring to mid summer
Plant height:	1 to 2 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Tiny flowers about 1/8 inch in diameter with long stamen in a loosely arranged spike. Individual flowers have 2 divided petals that can look like 4, and 2 petal-like sepals that point away from the flower. Color is white, but fading flowers may turn pink or deep red. Beneath the sepals is a round calyx covered in white hairs.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are up to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide, have toothed edges, and taper to a point at the tip. Leaves become rather smaller towards the top of the plant. Attachment is opposite. Stem is covered in fine hairs, especially at the top of the plant, but may become smooth with age.

More photos

• full length of plant, with pink tinted flowers

More white wildflowers. All photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, June 2006

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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