Enchanter’s nightshade likes a bit of shade. If you aren’t familiar with it, look on the verge and under the trees at the Thickwood end of the “Old Rd” that runs alongside Lucknam Park, or in the front garden of the school next to some honeysuckle. Originally labelled a “nightshade” as the leaves resemble woody nightshade, it belongs in the willowherb family.
The botanical name, Circaea, links with Circe, the sorceress of Greek mythology who turned Odysseus’s men into pigs with her magic herbal potion. Lutetiana, derives from the Roman city of Lutetia, the predecessor of modern-day Paris. The connection with Paris is unclear but French botanists called this plant circée de Paris to distinguish it from an alpine variety. Despite the intriguing name there is scant other associated folklore or history of much medicinal use. It isn’t a useful edible, being mildly toxic.
For me the “enchanting” part comes from a taking a close look at the exquisite flowers, each one resembling a tiny pinkish white butterfly.
It has the potential to became a nuisance in gardens, spreading by means of stolons (it’s burr like fruits also hitch a ride on passing dogs). But if you do have a shady spot then give it some space. It is an important food plant for beetles, sawflies, stiltbugs and moths including the elephant hawk moth and can be easily kept in check without chemicals. See the link from RHS for advice. Scottish highlanders apparently used Enchanter’s nightshade as an aphrodisiac - but I can’t vouch for that!