Home
Assessors Office
Clerk's Office
Commissioners Office
DMV-Motor Vehicle
Drivers License
District Court
Elections
Extension Office
GIS Maps
Homeland Security
Human Resources
Indigent
Information Technology
Jury
Magistrate Court
Parks & Recreation
Planning & Zoning
Probation Services
Prosecutors Office
Road & Bridge
Sheriff's Office
Solid Waste
Treasurer / Tax
Veterans
Weed Department
 |
 |
Weed Department
Black Henbane
Interesting Facts
- Has been used as a medicinal plant since the Middle Ages
- Been used as a beer flavoring many years ago
- All parts of the plant are poisonous to animals and humans
- Has a foul odor and has been called “stinking nightshade”
Description
Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is covered with greasy hairs and has a thick, fleshy taproot.
- Stems are upright, tough – almost woody - and can be very thick. Plants can grow to 1m or taller and may be branched or unbranched.
- Leaves are alternate, large – up to 15 cm wide and 20 cm or more long – and have a heavy, foul scent. Leaf edges are shallowly lobed (variable) and veins are conspicuous.
- Flowers are pale yellow with deep purple veins and throats and are borne on spikes. Flowers are hermaphroditic – both male and female organs – and have a strong, unpleasant smell. The flower base forms a 2.5 cm urn-shaped fruit with a thickened lid that pops off at maturity and spills the numerous, tiny, black-brown seeds is primarily by seed production and sprouting from lateral roots to a lesser extent.
