Overview
Circaea canadensis is a rhizomatous woodland perennial growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and spreading by slender underground stems to form open colonies. The thin upright stems carry opposite, ovate leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with shallowly toothed margins and pointed tips. From early to late summer it produces slender, elongating racemes of tiny flowers, each about 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) across with two deeply notched white-to-pale-pink petals that appear as four. The flowers give way to small pear-shaped fruits 0.1-0.15 inch (3-4 mm) long covered in hooked bristles that catch on fur and clothing for dispersal. Despite the common name, it belongs to the evening-primrose family, Onagraceae, and is unrelated to the true nightshades. It grows in moist deciduous woods, shaded streambanks, and clearings across eastern North America. The creeping rhizomes allow it to spread steadily and form patches that can outcompete smaller woodland plants in rich, moist soil.
Native Range
Circaea canadensis is native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Nova Scotia south to Georgia and west to the Great Plains. It grows in moist deciduous woodland, shaded streambanks, and clearings.Suggested Uses
Used as ground cover in shaded native and woodland plantings, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. It fills moist shade beneath trees and along shaded paths. Its spreading habit suits naturalized rather than formal plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Bloom runs through summer, from June to August, on racemes that lengthen as flowering progresses. The flowers are small and open from the base of the raceme upward. Hooked fruits follow and persist on the lengthened stalks into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pinkFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight