Enchanter's Nightshade

(Circaea lutetiana)

Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana L,)

Identification: Flowers small, white with 2 notched petals and 2 downward bent sepals. Fruit ovate with hooked spines. Leaves in opposite pairs, ovoid, tapering to a sharp tip and with their bases not indented. Outer margin of leaf weakly toothed. Plant 1 to 2 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of eastern North America. Also occurs in Europe and Asia.

Habitat: Enchanter's Nightshade is found in a variety of woodland habitats.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade is similar but smaller (3 to 8 inches in height). The leaf margins are more coarsely toothed and the base of the leaf is usually slightly indented.