Hyoscyamus niger Henbane (Solanaceae)

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Hyoscyamus niger
Henbane
(1 Page of 5)

The Hyoscyamus niger plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Solanaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Henbane.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Hyoscyamus niger
Common Name:  Henbane
Family:  Solanaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are very toxic[7, 10, 19, 65, 76]. Symptoms of poisoning include impaired vision, convulsions, coma and death from heart or respiratory failure[238].

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  By the walls of fields, waste ground, near buildings and in stony places from low-lying ground near the sea to lower mountain slopes[7].

Cultivation Notes: Prefers a sunny position[4] and a dry soil[19]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers an alkaline soil[200]. Plants succeed in sandy spots near the sea[4]. Cultivated commercially as a medicinal plant[57], only the biennial form is considered officinal[4]. Grows well in maritime areas, often self-sowing freely[200]. Older plants do not transplant well due to a brittle taproot[200]. The growing plant inhibits the growth of clover[18]. The flowers emit a sickly fishy smell[245].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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