I can usually find redeeming qualities in most despised plants and this one is no exception if only for its unusual appearance and historical interest. It even has the look of a dinosaur. I recently read that Black Henbane, Hyoscyamus niger, was found for the first time in Kimberley B.C. I would be surprised however, if it had never been found there before because it was found in Cranbrook about eight years ago. We are becoming more aware of our plant companions in recent years which is a great thing.

I was called to a house that had a very unusual plant growing in their front yard and the owners were curious as to its identification and whether it was an ornamental. The gardeners at the time felt it gave off nasty vibes so wanted to know what they were dealing with. I had not actually seen this plant before but knew about it, its poisonous qualities and use in ancient medicines. I have to admit it was fun to identify and quite fascinating to wonder how it got into someone’s front garden although we will never know. It was completely removed after being identified and I had not heard of any more reports about it until now.

Black Henbane is not common in Canada although it pops up occasionally in waste ground, dry sandy or gravelly areas. It favours a hot dry climate, originating in countries with those conditions in Europe, North Africa, Iran and hence a concern that with a changing climate it may pop up in more places here. It is therefore a good thing to know about it and be able to identify it, should you come across it.  

Black Henbane is not a totally unattractive plant but it is very distinctive and has a bitter aroma. All parts of it are very poisonous and it is reportable to Invasive Weed Councils. It is dangerous for cattle, wildlife and most animals if ingested. I should say I felt no ill effects after handling it for a considerable time but it is advisable to wear gloves if you do find it and must remove it.

Henbane is a plant of witches, medicine men and women. Used for centuries in potions to cause hallucinations or ‘healing,’ all parts of the plant contain alkaloids, which in reality can be exceeding dangerous if ingested. Herbalists at one time were very familiar with this plant. Apparently ancient Egyptians would smoke it to reduce toothaches although it was more likely the hallucination would cause the patient to forget the toothache. At one time herbal medicine was shaped by a philosophy known as ‘Doctrine of Signatures’. The doctrine believed that God had marked some plants to tell us how they might be used.  The seed heads of Black Henbane resembling rows of teeth, it was supposed at the time, that the plant could be used to treat teeth. Culpepeper another iconic herbalist also stated that every plant had a purpose and so it followed that many modern medicines found their origins in these ancient historical discoveries. Some of the alkaloids found in Black Henbane are used in modern medicines.

The origin of the name Black Henbane apparently lies in the fact that in medieval times chickens might be given its seeds to send them into a stupor, which facilitated an easy theft of the birds.

Don’t confuse Black Henbane with the lovely Yellow Loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata. Yellow Loosestrife is a great long flowering garden perennial whose flowers are similar but that is the only similarity.

Never a dull plant!

Sources:

U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information

Bach Flower Remedies Cambridge