Seasonal Wild Flowers

Enchanter's-nightshade

Circaea lutetiana

Onagraceae

June to August

It is found throughout the country.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

It grows in damp, shaded habitats, such as woodland, hedgerows,

scrub, waste ground and beside water. In gardens and fields it

grows as a weed.

Enchanter's-nightshade is a native, perennial, rhizomatous,

carpet-forming herb, growing up to 60cm.

The flowering spikes have delicate flowers 4-7mm across.

They are obviously 2-merous - 2 stamens, a style with a 2-lobed

stigma, 2 white petals with a pink tinge, and 2 bent-back sepals.

Fruits are burr-like

Stems and stalks are glandular.

Leaves are pointed ovals, up to 10cm long.

The rhizomes break off easily, making them persistent, spreading

weeds.

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Enchanter's-nightshade carpeting woodland

Leaves and flower spike

2-merous flower

Developing fruits