Small enchanter’s nightshade (Circaea alpina, Sp. Pl.: 9 (1753))

Family: Onagraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 9 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Circaea

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

The Small Enchanter’s Nightshade, scientifically known as Circaea alpina, is an intriguing plant with a longstanding botanical history, having been officially documented as far back as 1753. This delicate yet captivating species belongs to the Onagraceae family, a detail that underscores its affiliation with a rich lineage of flowering plants.

Circaea alpina thrives predominantly in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, displaying a remarkable adaptability to its environment. The plant itself is relatively small, yet it stands out due to its finely detailed characteristics. Its foliage is characterized by lush, green leaves, while the plant produces tiny, white flowers that bloom with an almost ethereal quality.

This species’ name, “Small Enchanter’s Nightshade,” evokes a sense of mystery and magic, hinting at the historical and cultural significance that nightshades have held in human lore. Despite its modest appearance, the plant has carved out its niche within the diverse ecosystems it inhabits, often found flourishing in woodland areas where it enjoys the balance of shade and sunlight.

The Small Enchanter’s Nightshade presents a wonderful example of nature’s intricate beauty, encapsulating both the botanical diversity and the enduring fascination that plants can inspire. Its presence in the Northern Hemisphere continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, contributing valuable insight into the biodiversity of temperate climates.

Common Names

Deu: alpen-hexenkraut, alpenhexenkraut
Dan: liden steffensurt
Eng: small enchanter’s nightshade, alpine enchanter’s-nightshade, dwarf enchanter’s nightshade
Nld: alpenheksenkruid
Nor: bergtrollgras, liden natskade, lidet trollkjerring-gras, natskade, største troldgras
Fra: circée des alpes, circée alpine
Swe: dvärghäxört
Sme: noaidehorbmá
Cym: llysiau steffan mynyddig, llysiau-steffan y mynydd
En: Small enchanter’s nightshade, Alpine Enchanter’s-nightshade, Dwarf enchanter’s nightshade, Small Enchanter’s-Nightshade, ALPINE CIRCAEA, Enchanter-nightshade, Alpine enchanter’s-nightshade, Enchanter’s nightshade
Zh: 高山露珠草
Cs: Čarovník prostřední
Da: Liden steffensurt
Nl: Alpenheksenkruid
Et: Harilik nõiakold, Nõiakold
Fi: Pikkuvelholehti, Velholehti
Fr: Circée des Alpes, Circée alpine
De: Gebirgs-Hexenkraut, Alpen-Hexenkraut, Alpenhexenkraut, Gebirgshexenkraut, Kleines Hexenkraut
Hu: Havasi varázslófű
It: Erba-maga delle Alpi
Se: Noaidehorbmá
No: Trollurt, Bergtrollgras, Liden natskade, Lidet trollkjerring-gras, Natskade, Største Troldgras
Pl: Czartawa drobna
Sk: Čarovník alpínsky
Sv: Dvärghäxört
Uk: Відьмине зілля низьке
Vi: Quái quả núi cao
Cy: Llysiau-Steffan y mynydd, Llysiau Steffan Mynyddig

Synonyms

• Circaea racemosa var. alpina ((L.) Hill)
• Circaea lutetiana subsp. alpina ((L.) H.Lév.)
• Ocimastrum minimum (Rupr.)
• Regmus alpinus ((L.) Dulac)
• Circaea lutetiana var. alpina ((L.) Torr.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• India (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by Andrej Rozman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by Robert Corbett (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by jb dupui (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Annini Bloom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Jäger Latein (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Jäger Latein (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 3, 2015 by EOL − paloma (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 8, 2015 by EOL − Clayton D’Orsay (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 26, 2014 by EOL − podiceps (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 29, 2016 by EOL − Lauren Magner (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Jäger Latein (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 23, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Paule LAMOUROUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2019 by Monique Schroeder (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by Cyril Rouxel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Jäger Latein (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Bark

Taken Nov 7, 2002 by EOL − Gary A. Monroe (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3188797)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:58893-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Circaea alpina L.)

Specifications

Growth