Vascular Plants » Onagraceae » Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's-nightshade

Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's-nightshade

Gedor-Wrach

L.

A common species of woodland, hedgerow and shady gardens, where it can be a troublesome weed. Its white or pale-pink, two-petalled flowers appear later than many of the other common woodland species, commonly in early June and it continues to flower well into the summer. The fruits have small hooked bristles and cling to fur and clothing. It can form extensive, rhizomatous carpets. It isn't related to the true nightshades so its common name is a bit misleading. The generic name, Circaea, is after the Circe, the enchantress (or sorceress) in Homer's Odyssey and that in turn is the derivation of 'Enchanters' in its common name. 

Native

Circaea lutetiana - © Charles Hipkin
Circaea lutetiana - © Charles Hipkin

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