Description Circaea lutetiana

circaea lutetiana showing growth form , flowers

circaea lutetiana perennial herbaceous plant opposite, simple leaves, on slender, green stems. flowers white, borne in summer. grows 20 cm 60 cm, 75 centimeters high.

the leaves rounded or notched @ base, narrow gradually pointed tip , not toothed, have sinuate edges. leaf stalks equally hairy round.

the flower has 2 notched petals, 2 stamens , 2-lobed stigma. open flowers spaced along stalk , there no bracts @ base of individual flower stalks. fruit consists of 2 equal cells, , sets seed. flower stalks become angled downwards before fruiting. fruit small bur 3.5-5mm aids plant s dispersal via zoochory.

in winter aerial parts die off leaving underground rhizome.

circaea alpina hybridize circaea lutetiana producing sterile offspring persists in vegetative colonies.