The genus circaea is named after circe, an enchantress featured in the odyssey by homer. Enchanter s nightshade definition is any plant of the genus circaea especially c. This perennial plant is about 2 tall and unbranched or little branched. Enchantersnightshade enchantersnightshade circaea lutetiana. Enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana guide to kansas. The plants common and scientific names both refer to magic though its hard to find out why. Subspecies are native to europe, north africa, western asia and eastern north america.
Circaea lutetiana enchanters nightshade, broadleaf enchanters. Circaea lutetiana, enchanters nightshade seeds for sale. This enchantment is referred to in its name, and its habitat in dark spruce thickets, often hiding under ferns, carries a definite. Pierre bulliard 17521793 was a famous french botanist who pioneered the threecolourplate printing technique.
Enchanters nightshade definition is any plant of the genus circaea especially c. Browse pictures and read growth cultivation information about circaea species, broadleaf enchanters nightshade, enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana supplied by member gardeners in the pla. Larva changes leaf making a short gallery before returning to blotch feeding 67. There are recognized 2 varieties or subspecies, depending on the reference. Click here to support naturespot by making a donation small or large your gift is very much appreciated. His introduction to the flowers of paris included 640 plants. Scattered white hairs occur occasionally along the central stem, although it becomes glabrous with age. Leaves slenderpetioled, ovate, acuminate at the apex, rounded or rarely slightly cordate at the base, remotely denticulate, 24 long. Enchanter s nightshade seeds are fluffy, dropshaped, similar to indigo or elderberry.
Short to medium somewhat hairy plant with long slender stolons. Circaea lutetiana enchanters nightshade first nature. It thrives in moist, rich soils and can be a nuisance in gardens. The plants latin name, circaea lutetiana, comes from circe, the enchantress of. This may be due to the particular degree of maturity, but it is a curious thing nonetheless. Circaea lutetiana enchanter s nightshade is a plant in the evening primrose family, onagraceae. With this association, it could be used in spells for enchantment.
Erect, branching, finely pubescent, at least above. Alpine enchanters nightshade, circaea alpina flowers. Some say this plant was part of the potion she used to turn odysseuss companions into swine. The small, white, twopetaled flowers grow in clusters, and the. At full height, enchanter s nightshade can reach 60cm 2ft. Enchanters nightshade, circaea lutetiana, is a native plant common in woods or the borders of woodland, in shade or semishade. Enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana canadensis evening primrose family onagraceae description. Plants profile for circaea lutetiana broadleaf enchanters.
It is a european perennial that is often found in the garden. Enchanter s nightshade enchanter s nightshade circaea lutetiana. Plant search enchanters nightshade enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana about enchanters nightshade. The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by diptera. The best science fiction of the year, volume four, edited by neil clarke. With such an enticing common name, i just had to try this plant, so i got seed from a wildflower enthusiast. Enchanters nightshade circaea quadrisulcata to circaea lutetiana is found in the northern hemisphere from east canada to north dakota, and further south into the united states.
The plants have slender stems with opposite leaves. It prefers shaded, damp areas and spreads by means of white, cylindrical rhizomes. Circaea alpina an alpine variety of enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana tall evening primrose with inconspicuous. Circaea lutetiana enchanters nightshade, broadleaf. Enchanters nightshade seeds are fluffy, dropshaped, similar to indigo or elderberry. Unmistakable in flower, apart from possible confusion with upland enchanter s nightshade. Enchanter s nightshade is a hairy plant, with rounded leaves that taper to a fine tip, and clusters of small, pinkywhite flowers in summer. Enchanter s nightshade or circaea lutetiana is a herbaceous plant of the onagraceae family. At present our information about this plant is limited to a list of the nurseries that supply it.
Enchanters nightshade spreads by both seed and rhizomes, often creating small colonies in woodlands across much of minnesota. It is in flower from june to august, and the seeds ripen from july to september. In addition, there is an intermediate hybrid between these two, and several local species or subspecies, with between eight and 14 forms recognised by different authorities. Closely related is alpine enchanters nightshade circaea alpina, a much smaller plant which has open flowers all clustered at the top of the raceme rather than along the stem, and rarely gets more than 10 inches tall at maturity. Enchanters nightshade what kind of fairytale flower is this. Enchanter s nightshade is a familiar denizen of woods and copses, preferring the dark depths of shade beneath the outspreading branches of woodland trees, or else the comparative light diffused in the rides which intersect a wood, where it grows amid the wet herbage which grows rank and rife, untouched by browsing animals or the scythe. Enchanter s nightshade, circaea lutetiana, is a native plant common in woods or the borders of woodland, in shade or semishade. May 27, 2017 common enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana chromolithograph artist. Despite its name it is not especially toxic, but contains a lot of the astringent tannin. The genus name comes from the enchantress circe of greek mythology and the specific designation is derived from lutetia, the latin name for paris, which was sometimes referred to as the witch city. Plants for a future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form.
It contains the new york plant families onagraceae willowherb or evening primrose family, lythraceae loosestrife or pomegranate family, and melastomataceae, which contains just two species found in new york. Enchantersnightshade circaea lutetiana wallington, northumberland, early fruit enchantersnightshade circaea lutetiana wetheral woods, late fruit alpine enchantersnightshade circaea alpina. Enchanters nightshade definition of enchanters nightshade. Broadleaf enchanters nightshade, broadleaved enchanters nightshade, canada enchanters nightshade, yellowish enchanters nightshade other scientific names. Broadleaf enchanter s nightshade, broadleaved enchanter s nightshade, canada enchanter s nightshade, yellowish enchanter s nightshade other scientific names. Leaves not strongly toothed, but with sinuate edges.
The leaves are usually more than half as wide as long. The flowers are clustered at the end of the raceme. Circaea quadrisulcata, circaea lutetiana french names. A common native rhizomatous herbaceous perennial of woods, glens and shady places, growing to about 12 ins 30 cm tall, with oval, scarcely toothed leaves and tiny white 2petalled flowers, the petals notched. Enchanters nightshade definition, any of several plants belonging to the genus circaea, of the evening primrose family, of cool and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, having white flowers. Enchanters nightshade circaea canadensis ontario wildflowers. As you can see in the photos, this is definitely more a wildflower than a gardenworthy plant. Flowers of enchanters nightshade appear to have four petals, but it is actually two deeply cleft petals left. Polyphenol composition of extract from aerial parts of circaea. Leaves are heartshaped, variably hairy, and somewhat wrinkled with raised sections between the veins. Related species common enchanter s nightshade circaea lutetiana is a much larger plant with open flowers spread out along the raceme rather than clustered at the top, leaves up to 5 inches long, and common in more degraded woodlands. Circaea lutetiana enchanters nightshade, broadleaf enchanter. Plant search enchanter s nightshade enchanter s nightshade circaea lutetiana about enchanter s nightshade.
Circaea enchanters nightshade, broadleaf enchanters. Synonyms for enchanters nightshade in free thesaurus. It grows in woods and hedges, but can be a weed of gardens. Alpine enchanters nightshades scientific name circaea is in honour of the ancient greek mythological spirit and wizard kirke, who enchanted ulysses and magically turned his crew into pigs in homers epic. Circaea lutetiana enchanter s nightshade is a plant in the evening primrose family, onagraceae the genus name comes from the enchantress circe of greek mythology and the generic designation is derived from lutetia, the latin name for paris. This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 70cm in height 28inches. Circaea lutetiana, known as broadleaved enchanter s nightshade, is a plant in the evening primrose family, onagraceae the genus name comes from the enchantress circe of greek mythology and the specific designation is derived from lutetia, the latin name for paris, which was sometimes referred to as the witch city. Plants profile for circaea lutetiana canadensis broadleaf.
The broadleaved enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana is found in eurasia and the eastern enchanters nightshade circaea canadensis is found in north america. Range map for enchanter s nightshade circaea canadensis. Erysiphe circaea on enchantersnightshade circaea lutetiana 42071503750. The order myrtales is believed to have originated about 100 million years ago in either southeast africa or australasia. Common name, enchanters nightshade, broadleaf enchanters nightshade. Enchanters nightshade or circaea lutetiana is a herbaceous plant of the onagraceae family. Enchanters nightshade, any herbaceous perennial plant of the genus circaea, in the evening primrose family onagraceae, that occurs in damp woodlands of the northern hemisphere. It is not related to other nightshades such as the deadly nightshade. Synonyms for enchanter s nightshade in free thesaurus. Jul 26, 2016 some online research told me that its latin name, circaea lutetiana, which relates to the enchantress circe of greek mythology, and that perhaps it was one of the herbs she was thought to have put into her potion to turn odysseuss shipmates into pigs in homers epic poem. Enchanter s nightshade definition, any of several plants belonging to the genus circaea, of the evening primrose family, of cool and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, having white flowers. Enchanter s nightshade spreads by both seed and rhizomes, often creating small colonies in woodlands across much of minnesota. In time we will be adding more details including a description, growing information, advice and photographs.
Click here to support naturespot by making a donation small or large. Onagraceae damp, shady places are the preferred habitat of this attractive little wildflower, and woodlands are the best places to find it, although it sometimes grows underneath hedgerows. Circaea species, broadleaf enchanters nightshade, enchanter. A taxonomic genus within the family onagraceae 710 species of flowering plants, most commonly known as enchanters nightshades. Mar 01, 2015 flowers of enchanter s nightshade appear to have four petals, but it is actually two deeply cleft petals left. The entire provincestate is coloured, regardless of where in that provincestate it occurs. Enchanters nightshade definition and meaning collins. Plants profile for circaea lutetiana broadleaf enchanter. Native to north america, and occurring from maine south to georgia, and west in all states to the rocky mountains. A coloured province or state means this species occurs somewhere in that provincestate. Enchantersnightshade circaea lutetiana wallington, northumberland abundant in shady places throughout, this flowers in the later season, from about the middle of july onwards at these latitudes. Circaea lutetiana, known as broadleaved enchanters nightshade, is a plant in the evening primrose family, onagraceae. Circaea, genus circaea, alpine enchanter s nightshade, circaea alpina, circaea lutetiana, evening primrose. Onagraceae damp, shady places are the preferred habitat of this attractive little wildflower, and woodlands are the best places to find it.
Enchanter s nightshade spreads like crazy, so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant. Related species common enchanters nightshade circaea lutetiana is a much larger plant with open flowers spread out along the raceme rather than clustered at the top, leaves up to 5 inches long, and common in more degraded woodlands. This is a perennial and a member of the onagraceae family found throughout the british isles. Flora of new yorkmyrtales wikibooks, open books for an. Handcoloured botanical drawn and engraved by pierre bulliard from his own flora parisiensis, 1776, paris, p. Circaea lutetiana enchanters nightshaderhs gardening. Mine starts as an irregular gallery leading to a blotch with black frass. Enchanters nightshade synonyms, enchanters nightshade. The cumbria lake district is the uk headquarters for this delightful little plant. Browse pictures and read growth cultivation information about circaea species, broadleaf enchanter s nightshade, enchanter s nightshade circaea lutetiana supplied by member gardeners in the pla. Unmistakable in flower, apart from possible confusion with upland enchanters nightshade. Enchanters nightshade tends to like moist, shady conditions. It is found in shady woodlands, coppices and some hedgerows. Circaea lutetiana enchanters nightshade is a plant in the evening primrose family, onagraceae the genus name comes from the enchantress circe of greek mythology and the generic designation is derived from lutetia, the latin name for paris.
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