Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)


Category A Weed

Nightshade family (Solanaceae)

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Stem

  • Up to 3 ft. tall, branched and covered with long, sticky hairs

    Leaves

    • Alternate, lance-shaped to oblong, 2-8 in. long and covered with short, sticky hairs; veins are prominent and pale; edges (margins) are lobed to toothed; lower leaves have a short stem (petiole), upper leaves have NO leaf stem

      Flower

      • Funnel-shaped with a purple center; 5 fused, greenish-yellow petals with purple veins; arise from leaf axils along upper part of stem

      • Seed pods are pineapple-shaped, 1 in. long and covered with long, sticky hairs; open end has 5 lobes; contain many small, dark seeds

        Root

        • Thick, fleshy taproot

          Other

          • Grows best on open sites with well-drained soils; often infests roadsides, waste areas, field borders and pastures; known to occur in Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon and White Pine counties

          • Annual or biennial; reproduces by seed

          • Toxic to humans and livestock but rarely consumed by animals due to foul odor and taste

            Control

            • Mowing, tillage, digging and hand-pulling prior to seed production are effective

            • Burning dry, mature plants can kill seed

            • Apply picloram or metsulfuron to actively growing plants prior to bloom

              Images

              Black Henbane Plant 215x150
              Mature plant
              Black Henbane Rosette 215x150
              Rosette
              Black Henbane Flower
              Flower
              Black Henbane Seed pod (green)
              Seed pod (green)
              Black Henbane Seed Pod (dry)
              Seed pod (dry)
              Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide
              Nevada Noxious Weed Guide