Herb. No. 178 · Solanaceae
Eurasian nightshade of rubble and waste ground, a poison-garden waif.
Native · Europe · West Asia
Native Also grown
LegalDeadlyplant
Henbane
Hyoscyamus niger
Sticky, dingy-yellow bells with purple veins — the witches’-herb and medieval beer-plant that is now a labeled poison-garden specimen only.
Treat this as a poison-garden specimen. Read Safety before any use.
Henbane is a Eurasian nightshade. Tropane delirium is the same family as datura and belladonna: hot, dry, blind, mad. Medieval brewers used it before hops were universal; people died. It is not a home sedative. This plate exists so the sticky, evil-looking flower is named and left in the border.
Flavor
Do not taste. Heavy, narcotic green if you crush a leaf — that is the warning.
Parts used
None for self-care.
Helpful
- Teaches the tropane toxidrome with datura and belladonna
Cautions
- Fatal at garden doses
- Delirium lasts days
- Looks ‘herbal’ to the uncareful