# Black Henbane (*hyoscyamus niger*)

Black Henbane is a fascinating plant with large, hairy leaves and beautiful purple flowers. It often grows in sunny fields and has a unique smell that can be quite strong!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Black Henbane typically grows in sunny, open areas like fields and roadsides.
- **Also known as:** Black Hellebore, Common Henbane, Henbane, Stinking Nightshade

![Black Henbane](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Henbane1.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Chilepine ( talk · contribs ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henbane1.JPG)

## Appearance

The Black Henbane has dull green, hairy, sticky leaves. Its funnel-shaped flowers are yellowish-purple with prominent dark purple veins, making them quite distinctive.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Solanales
- **Family:** Solanaceae
- **Genus:** Hyoscyamus

## Interesting facts

- Even touching the plant can cause skin irritation in some sensitive people.
- Historically, it was used to put people to sleep before ancient surgeries!
- Its name "henbane" likely means "death to hens" due to its poison.
- This plant was once a common ingredient in medieval "witch's brews."

## Special abilities

- **Sticky Protector:** Black Henbane has glandular hairs that make it sticky, helping it deter hungry insects and other herbivores.
- **Toxic Shield:** Black Henbane produces powerful toxic alkaloids that make it deadly to eat, protecting it from most animals.
- **Sleepy Seeds:** Black Henbane seeds can remain dormant in the soil for many decades, waiting for the perfect time to sprout.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-150 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Deadly
- **Lifecycle:** Biennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Attracted to the flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Drone fly (*Eristalis tenax*) — A common fly pollinator for its blooms

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

This plant can be toxic if ingested, so it's best to look and not touch!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Black Henbane?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Black Henbane?

30-150 cm

### How wide does Black Henbane spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Black Henbane?

2-3 cm

### When does Black Henbane bloom?

Summer

### Is Black Henbane edible?

No

### Is Black Henbane toxic?

Deadly

### What is Black Henbane's lifecycle?

Biennial

## Where to spot

- [Butte-Anaconda Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butte-anaconda-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District
- [Bear Lake State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-lake-state-park) — Utah, US · State Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Black Henbane: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-henbane)