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Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade

Circaea alpina

Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade is a small, delicate plant that grows in cool, shady places. It has pretty white flowers and soft green leaves, making it a lovely sight in the forest.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade is a delicate plant with small, heart-shaped, bright green leaves. It produces tiny, paired white or pale pink flowers that appear to have two deeply notched petals, making them look almost like four.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMyrtalesFamilyOnagraceaeGenusCircaea
Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

7

Interesting facts

Despite "nightshade" in its name, it's completely unrelated to the poisonous true nightshades!

It can grow very high up in mountains, sometimes near melting snow patches!

Its tiny flowers look like they have two petals, but each is deeply split, making it four!

The plant’s name comes from ancient magic lore, despite being a real forest plant.

Special abilities

Ability

Underground Spread

Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade has creeping rhizomes that help it spread easily and form small patches, even in challenging soils.

Ability

Nature's Velcro Seeds

Its tiny, burr-like fruits are covered in hooked bristles, allowing them to hitch a ride on animals for dispersal.

Ability

Shade Seeker

This plant can thrive in deep shade where many others struggle, using low light to grow in dense forest understories.

Measurements & details

Height
5-30 cm
Spread
10-25 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Black Slug

Arion ater

Slugs and snails frequently browse on its leaves.

eaten by

Roe Deer

Capreolus capreolus

Deer may browse on its leaves in forest habitats.

pollinates

Fly

Fannia serena

Small flies are attracted to its blossoms.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not touch or eat unknown plants, as some can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade?

The easiest way to identify Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade?

5-30 cm

How wide does Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade spread?

10-25 cm

How big are the flowers on Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade?

0.2-0.5 cm

When does Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade bloom?

Summer

Is Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade edible?

No

Is Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade toxic?

None

What is Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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