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Henbane Hyoscyamus niger

Phonetic Spelling
hy-oh-SY-ah-mus NY-jer
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The genus name is derived from the words hog and bean, that refer to the severe toxicity that the plants seeds are to the swine population.  Animals tend to avoid this plant due to its foul odor and taste.

Black Henbane is an erect annual or biennial herb with coarse, hairy stems. Early in a plants' growth, it will appear in the form of a rosette before forming stems.  When it grows as a biennial it will have many branches.  An annual plant will have minimal branching.  It is commonly found growing in rocky, temperate locations, often along roadsides as well as disturbed locations and beach areas.  

Although not native to the US, it has been introduced and can be found across the Northeast, the Midwest and a large portion of the West.  It was brought to the US for cultivation as a medicinal herb.  

Although the leaves, fruits, seeds and roots are highly toxic, in ancient times, these plant parts were used to treat pain as a local anesthetic.  During the Middle Ages, it was associated with witchcraft, where the common name Witches Herb came about.  

The flowers are tubular and 5-parted, with the petals fused into a cup shape.  They are greenish-yellow or yellowish with purple veins and form at both ends of the stems, in spaces between the leaves and stem.  The base of each flower is covered with long hairs.  Annual black henbane bloom later in the season than the biennial.

This invasive plant spreads by self-seeding.  The seed dropped by the plant can remain viable for many years.  Control can be accomplished by pulling or digging up the plants, ensuring to remove the taproot.  Place plants removed in bags to contain the spread of seeds from mature fruits.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN

When handling the plant, be sure to wear gloves, as exposure to the skin may cause a rash.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#poisonous#drought tolerant#biennial#medicinal#aggressive#poisonous fruits#self-seeding#skin irritation#wet soils intolerant#poisonous if ingested#poisonous root#annual#weed#poisonous leaves#drought tolerant annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#poisonous#drought tolerant#biennial#medicinal#aggressive#poisonous fruits#self-seeding#skin irritation#wet soils intolerant#poisonous if ingested#poisonous root#annual#weed#poisonous leaves#drought tolerant annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hyoscyamus
    Species:
    niger
    Family:
    Solanaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Considered a weedy plant.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern and Central Europe and Eurasia
    Wildlife Value:
    Harmful to wildlife, but rarely consumed.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is in the form of a pineapple or egg shaped capsule that will split open when ripe. Each capsule contains up to 200 seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Cup
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Formed in the leaf axils, the flowers are axillary, tubular, 5-parted, greenish yellow or yellowish with purple veins.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The hairy leaves feel sticky to the touch. The lower leaves have a short stem, the upper leaves have no stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems a coarse and hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion Symptoms: Salivation, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid pulse, convulsions, coma
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Tropane alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems