Flower ID: IMG_0942.JPG-06-30-2017 Flower name (scientific): Circaea lutetiana Linnaeus PY: 1753. [Circaea canadensis (L.) Hill PY: 1765 is a synonym of Circaea lutetiana subsp. canadensis (L.) Asch. & Magnus]. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ser-SE-a loo-tee-shee-AH-na Flower name (common): Enchanter's Nightshade Family name (common): Evening Primrose Family name (scientific): Onagraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named for Circe, enchantress (sorceress and witch) in Greek mythology. Specific epithet: From Lutetia, the Latin name for Paris, which has been referred to as the witch city. Common name origin: Enchanter's refers to its association with the enchantress Circe of Greek mythology. Circaea lutetiana is not one of the poisonous or narcotic nightshade species, so the use of nightshade for this plant is perplexing. Possibly the name was used because of the association of the plant with Circe and of the use of the nightshades in witchcraft. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (3 to 8 mm) Petal count: 2 petals, which are deeply notched. Color: White to pink. Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect Size: 8 to 36" (20 to 91 cm) tall Stem hairy: Other: Not as toxic as the second part of the common name might suggest. Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves are about 5 to 15 cm long and 2.5 to 7.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate-cordate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Moist woods, mesic forests, thickets, shade. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Circaea alpina (Alpine Enchanter's Nightshade) is similar, but a somwhat smaller plant, tyically 4 to 12 inches tall compared to 12 to 24 inches tall for Circaea lutetiana. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in Wisconsin. Employed by the Iroquois to treat injured body parts (Moerman, p. 163, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na