Flower profile
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade
Circaea canadensis
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in June–August.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Connecticut, Delaware
Quick look
Circaea canadensis, known as eastern enchanter's nightshade, Canada enchanter's nightshade, broad-leaved enchanter's nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant found in forests of eastern North America. It is very similar to its sister species, Circaea lutetiana, and was formerly considered conspecific.
- It belongs to the Onagraceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 19 states. USDA PLANTS
- In Connecticut, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–August. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 529 research-grade sightings of it in Connecticut, ranking #91 among the 111 flowers on our Connecticut list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 143 research-grade sightings of it in Delaware, ranking #96 among the 110 flowers on our Delaware list. iNaturalist
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade gift ideas
Handmade broadleaf enchanter's nightshade gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
-
Placeholder
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade art print
-
Placeholder
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade greeting card
-
Placeholder
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade mug
-
Placeholder
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade earrings
-
Placeholder
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade embroidery pattern
-
Placeholder
Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | – | June–August | 529 |
| Delaware | – | few records | 143 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe
- Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe
- Connecticut
- Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). CT E/T/SC list
- Delaware
- Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). DE rare plants 2024
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records broadleaf enchanter's nightshade in 19 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
More Connecticut flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile CIIN4.
- iNaturalist, Circaea canadensis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Circaea canadensis (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Connecticut: Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list).
- Connecticut: Connecticut prohibited invasive plants (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d).
- Delaware: Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list).
- Delaware: Delaware Invasive Plant List (3 Del. Admin. Code § 806-3.0).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Mark Apgar via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.