Hyoscyamus niger aka Common Henbane
Taxonomy
Hyoscyamus niger, also known as henbane, black henbane, or stinking nightshade, is a poisonous plant from the Solanaceae family. It is native to temperate Europe and Siberia, but has naturalised in Great Britain and Ireland. The plant is an annual or biennial herb with coarse, hairy stems and toothed, alternate leaves. Its tubular, 5-parted flowers are greenish-yellow or yellowish with purple veins, and its fruit is a capsule. Despite its alluring purple to cream-patterned flowers, the entire plant is highly toxic if ingested and can be fatal. Its unpleasant smell has earned it the nickname 'Stinking Nightshade'. The origins of the name 'henbane' are unclear, but it likely referred to death rather than chickens.
Common names
Common Henbane, Henbane, Black HenbaneHow to care for Common Henbane
Difficulty
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Common Henbane due to its easy-going nature.
Water
Common Henbane should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Lighting
Common Henbane thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Black Henbane.
Toxicity
No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
Region of origin
Common Henbane’s native range is Much of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
More info:
Wikipedia
