SafePlants

Small Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea alpina)

Small Enchanter's Nightshade, scientifically known as Circaea alpina, is a delicate plant often found in moist, cool, and damp forest understories. This plant, while easy to overlook, boasts interesting features that contribute to its survival and propagation.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Circaea alpina L.
• Common Names: Small Enchanter's Nightshade, Alpine Enchanter's Nightshade, Dwarf Enchanter's Nightshade, Alpine Circaea
• Family: Willowherb Family (Onagraceae), also known as the Evening Primrose family.
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Subspecies:
  • Circaea alpina ssp. alpina
  • Circaea alpina ssp. pacifica

Distribution and Habitat

• Small Enchanter's Nightshade prefers moist to wet woods and mossy bogs.
• It is less common and more particular, favoring moist, cool areas.
• The plant is found across much of Minnesota, where it forms small colonies in woodlands.

Morphology and Growth

• The plant typically grows to be 60-70 cm in height, but is usually much smaller.
• Its leaves are chordate (heart-shaped) and indented.
• It has small (4-8mm) white flowers that appear from pink buds on slender stems.
• The flowers are quite small, only about 1/6 inch (4 mm) in diameter.

Ecological Role

• It is found alongside other plants like Small balsam.
• It can be found near invasive alien species like Impatiens parviflora.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The plant's fruit is a small bur (3.5-5mm) that aids in dispersal via zoochory (animal dispersal). The bur-like fruits can be transported on clothing or animal fur.

Quirky Facts

• Despite its common name including "nightshade," it is actually a member of the Willowherb or Evening Primrose family, not the Nightshade family.
• The small two-petaled white flower requires close examination to appreciate its delicate structure.

Further Information

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Garden Guides