Hyoscyamus nigerL. Black Henbane

Hyoscyamus nigerL. - Black Henbane

Scientific Description:

Glandular-villous annual or biennial, stems 20−100 cm. Leaves ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 5−25 cm, lobes triangular-lanceolate, acute, basal tapering into a short petiole, cauline sessile, amplexicaul. Calyx 10−15 mm, in fruit 20−40 mm, constricted at middle, ventricose part densely hairy, teeth pungent. Corolla lurid yellow, purple reticulate, throat dark purple, rarely completely pale, 25−35 mm. Stamens included. Anthers purple.

 

Flowering time: April−August.

Habitat: Stony or rocky places, cereal fields, roadsides, waste places, s.l.−2300 m.

 

Reference:

Baytop A (1978). Hyoscyamus niger L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 6: 454.

Public Description:

Hyoscyamus niger, known as “black henbane” or “stinking nightshade”, is originated in Eurasia and is now naturally spreading to many parts of the world. It is an annual or perennial herb with lurid yellow flowers, up to 100 cm in length. It blooms between April and August and is found in stony or rocky places, cereal fields, roadsides and waste places. Black henbane, along with other genera and species in the same family, is a source of the drug “hyoscyamine”. “Hyoscyamine” is used to provide symptomatic relief to various gastrointestinal disorders including spasms, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, colic and cystitis. However, due to the toxic alkaloids contained, taking a slightly higher dose from a medical dose can cause loss of consciousness and result in death.

 

References:

Anonymous 1 (2018) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyoscyamine/, Accessed date: 04.02.2018.

Anonymous 2 (2016) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyoscyamus_niger /,Accessed date: 06.11.2016.

Güner A (2012) Hyoscyamus L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 872.