Circaea lutetiana
enchanter's-nightshade
Europe, North Africa, temperate western Asia
Overview
Circaea lutetiana is a rhizomatous perennial of shaded ground, 20-70 cm (8-28 in) tall, with slender erect stems and opposite, oval, pointed leaves 4-10 cm (1.6-4 in) long that have shallowly toothed margins. From midsummer it carries loose, slender spikes of small white flowers about 4-8 mm (0.2-0.3 in) across, each with two deeply notched petals that can read as four. The flowers give way to small pear-shaped fruits 3-4 mm (0.12-0.16 in) long, densely clothed in hooked white bristles that cling to fur and clothing and carry the seed away from the parent. It spreads steadily by white, fleshy underground rhizomes and can form extensive colonies in damp woodland, gardens, and hedge bases. The rhizomatous habit makes it persistent once established, and broken root fragments regrow, so it behaves as a weed in cultivated beds. Top growth dies back to the ground each autumn and reappears in spring. It tolerates deep shade and a wide range of soils but needs steady moisture, declining in dry, sunny positions.
Native Range
Circaea lutetiana is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate western Asia. It grows in damp deciduous woodland, shaded stream banks, hedgerows, and disturbed shady ground. It is not native to North America, where the closely related Circaea canadensis fills a similar woodland role.Suggested Uses
Used as a ground-covering plant in shaded, naturalistic and woodland gardens where its spreading habit can run freely. Suited to difficult dry-to-moist shade beneath trees. Rarely chosen for borders or containers because of its weedy, colonising growth.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from June to August, with the small white flowers opening in sequence up the lengthening spike. Bristly fruits develop from midsummer into autumn. The flowering display is sparse, the spikes carrying only a few open blooms at a time.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Mid-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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Circaea lutetiana in moist, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, conditions that match its woodland origin. It tolerates heavy clay and a range of pH but needs reliable moisture, browning and dying back early in dry summers. The plant is hardy and needs no winter protection across temperate zones. Because it spreads by brittle rhizomes, confine it to areas where the colonising habit is acceptable or grow it in a sunken container. Pull or dig unwanted shoots in spring, removing as much rhizome as possible. No feeding is needed in reasonable woodland soil.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Cut or pull spent flowering stems before the bristly fruits ripen to limit seed spread. Dig out unwanted rhizomes in spring or autumn to keep colonies in check.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons