Circaea ×sterilis Boufford
Circaea ×intermedia Ehrh. (pro sp.)
Broad-leaved enchanter’s-nightshade, enchanter’s nightshade
Enchanter’s nightshade is a natural hybrid of Circaea alpina × C. lutetiana. It is a European native, now established in northeastern North America.
Plants: These herbaceous perennials are up to 12″ (30 cm) high, with erect, somewhat hairy reddish-green stems.
Leaves: Simple, ovate to elliptic, and 1–4 ⨉ ¾–3″ (3–10 ⨉ 2–8 cm).
Flowers: White to pale pink flowers are roughly cross-shaped, twinkling like little stars. They form sparse racemes. Flowers appear from May to July.
Fruits: Oval, hairy capsules called utricles. The hairs are tiny hooks, adept at latching onto fur and clothing for distribution.
Habitats: Forests, woodlands, and shaded thickets, in moist, rich soils such as stream and river sides.
Online References:
Circaea canadensis sensu Fernald
Circaea ×sterilis Boufford
Circaea ×sterilis Boufford
7/6/2026 · Head of Tide Park, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 5 × 7″ (12 × 17 cm) 
7/6/2026 · Head of Tide Park, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Rosidae | Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more |
| Order | Myrtales | Includes myrtles, leadwoods, loosestrifes, pomegranates, evening primroses, many others |
| Family | Onagraceae | Willowherb/evening primrose family |
| Genus | Circaea | Named for Circe, an enchantress in Greek mythology who used C. lutetiana in her magic |
| Species | ×intermedia | Intermediate |
Circaea ×intermedia description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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