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Native Plant Database

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Circaea alpina (Small enchanter's nightshade)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Circaea alpina L.

Small enchanter's nightshade

Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)

USDA Symbol: CIAL

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Slender stems with several pairs of heart-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers in racemes.

Circe, the Greek enchantress for whom the genus is named, possessed magical powers and a knowledge of poisonous herbs; she could change men into swine. A Eurasian species of Circaea, with races in eastern North America, was one of Circe’s magical plants.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Across northern North America; in West, south mostly in mountains to southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico; in East, south to Georgia.
Native Habitat: Cool damp woods.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Circaea alpina in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Circaea alpina in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Circaea alpina

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-12-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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