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Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Circaea alpina

Circaea alpina L.

Small Enchanter's Nightshade

Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CIAL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

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, is said to have possessed magical powers and a knowledge of poisonous herbs. A Eurasian species of Circaea, with races in eastern North America, was one of Circe�s magical plants.

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.
Leaf: Green

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.

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.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW	FACW	FAC		FACW	FACW		FACW	FACW	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2023-04-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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