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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Small Enchanter's Nightshade
Circaea alpina L.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Evening-primrose (Onagraceae)
Flowering: June-August
Field Marks: This species is recognized by its flowers which have 2 sepals, 2 notched white petals, 2 stamens, and an inferior ovary. The small capsule is covered with hooked hairs.
Habitat: Moist woods.
Habit: Perennial herb from a tuberous rootstock.
Stems: Upright, unbranched, up to 2 feet tall, usually with a few appressed hairs.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, ovate, up to 3 inches long, pointed at the tip, rounded or heart-shaped at the base, with or without teeth, smooth or sparsely hairy; leaf stalks 1-1 1/2 inches long.
Flowers: Few in a raceme, without bracts.
Sepals: 2, green, free from each other, about 1/24 inch long.
Petals: 2, white, free from each other, notched, about 1/24 inch long.
Stamens: 2.
Pistils: Ovary superior.
Fruits: Capsules obovoid, up to 1/12 inch long, covered with hooked hairs.

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:27:05 EST
Sioux Falls, SD [sdww55]