Enchanter’s Nightshade

 

Enchanter’s Nightshade

This delicate little perennial grows abundantly in the woods and is a UK native wildflower. In rich moist soil it reaches a height of about 70 cms (28 inches), though it is shorter in drier, less fertile ground. It thrives in semi-shade and provides sustenance and cover for creatures like moths, sawflies and stiltbugs. It is pollinated by small bees and hoverflies.

The leaves are oval or heart-shaped with a distinctive pointed tip and grow in pairs on hairy stems. Above them, spikes of well-spaced pinkish buds give rise to small white flowers from June to August.

                                        Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Following the flowers come seed pods or capsules usually carrying two seeds. The capsules are covered in spiky bristles which readily attach to passing animals, thus helping its distribution.

The plant dies down and disappears underground for the winter, emerging with new growth in the spring.

It belongs with fuchsias and willowherbs in the Onagraceae family. Its common name is misleading as it is not a member of Solonaceae, the nightshade species, but may come from its botanical name, Circaea lutetiana.

The Latin name, Circaea, comes from the enchantress Circe, sometimes known as the Greek goddess of magic, who lived in the woods of the island of Aeaea. She was revered for her knowledge of herbs and skill in making potions and fêted in Homer’s Odyssey because she prevented Odysseus and his men from leaving her island by turning them into pigs.

Lutetia was the Roman name for Paris and the second part of the botanical name, Lutetiana, refers to this, though the connection is a little obscure. Some believe that the city was once known as ‘witch city’ as it had a strong fascination with the occult. There is a carving of Baphomet, the Sabbatic Goat, in the mediaeval church of Saint-Merri, and a pentagram is depicted in stained glass.

Though Enchanter’s Nightshade has been classed as a herb, it has little medicinal value, though it is astringent and has been used to treat wounds, cramp, and skin inflammation. In the highlands of Scotland, it was thought to be an aphrodisiac. It contains a notable amount of tannin and has been used to flavour Austrian tea.

                                        Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons