Circaea lutetiana is treated here in a wide sense to include the two subspecies Circaea lutetiana subsp. canadensis (L.) Asch. & Magnus and Circaea lutetiana subsp. quadrisulcata (Maxim.) Asch. & Magnus. These two subspecies are sometimes treated as distinct, as Circaea canadensis (L.) Hill and Circaea canadensis subsp. quadrisulcata (Maxim.) Boufford[].
If Circaea canadensis becomes accepted as a distinct species, then the reports on medicinal usage from [], which are listed under the subspecies Circaea lutetiana subsp canadensis, would be transferred to Circaea canadensis.

Common Name: Enchanter's Nightshade

General Information

Circaea lutetiana is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It can grow 15 - 150cm tall, spreading by the roots and forming colonies[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Temprate Eurasia - Atlantic Coast to the Pacific, excluding eastern Siberia; N. America - Manitoba to Ontario, to Mississippi, Georgia; N. Africa

Habitat

Woods and shady places on a moist, base-rich soil, throughout Britain to 360 metres[]. Cool-temperate deciduous forests and mixed deciduous-boreal forests; at elevations from near sea level to around 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Diptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist soil and a position in partial shade, growing well in woodland conditions[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant has been used as a treatment on wounds[]. A compound infusion has been drunk and also used as a wash on injured parts of the body[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ if you have sufficient seed. Otherwise sow in pots in light shade in a cold frame, pricking the seedlings out into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer or the following spring.