My dog discovered enchanter's nightshade for the first time when about a hundred of the tiny,
velcro-covered fruits
hitched a ride on her soft fur.
It is native to North America, and favors moist, rich woods.
Enchanter's nightshade is a member of the evening primrose
family. The enchantress Circe, according to Greek mythology, used this plant in her magic,
hence its common name, as well as its genus name. In fact, though, enchanter's nightshade is not known to have any
interesting properties, either medicinal or magical. And it is an American plant, while Circe's role in
The Odyssey brought her nowhere near America. Perhaps someone confused
enchanter's nightshade
with the unrelated
and very poisonous bittersweet nightshade,
or with the equally poisonous deadly nightshade.
Plants: 1-2′ (30-60 cm) high.
Leaves: Hairless, opposite, roughly oval, wider toward the bottom and sometimes heart-shaped (ovate-cordate), with small teeth along the
margins (dentate). They are up to 5″ (12 cm) × 3″ (7.6 cm) in size.
Flowers: Tiny white to pinkish flowers ⅛-¼″ (3.2-6.3 mm) in size appear sparsely along spikes
up to 6″ (15 cm) long. The flowers/burs are on short petioles about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) long, alternate, and angled
back along the stem, a unique identifying characteristic.
Fruits: Fuzzy teardrop-shaped two-chambered capsule,
covered with hooked hairs. Fruits are 1/16-⅛″ (2.8-4.5 mm) in size.