Plant of the day is: Hyoscyamus niger or henbane

Plant of the day is: Hyoscyamus niger or henbane

Sometimes commonly referred to as stinking nightshade as well, as its leaves have a bit of a fetid odor.

I can't help but be a little drawn to the Solanaceae family.  The compounds contained in some of its more interesting members are absolutely fascinating.  From Datura stramonium (Jimson weed) to Atropa belladonna (Belladonna), and Solanum carolinense (horse nettle), it contains some downright deadly and arrestive (yes its a word spellchecker...) compounds.  Members of the family have some great flowers as well, and despite humans attempts to help this plant roam, it has very lovely flowers as well.

Without further adieu, here is the henbane.

Yes, interesting.

Fun facts:  This is quite the old-world plant, and was used in combinations for any number of rather absurd reasons.  I believe all parts of the plants contain the chemicals hyoscyamine, atropine (Atropa...get it!?) and scopolamine which according to WebMd can help muscle tremors and relax the muscles lining the digestive tract (see drug: Levsin).  It looks to have some interesting uses and effects but is QUITE toxic and dangerous if not taken appropriately.  Also, if you ingest parts of the plant directly, you can hallucinate quite heavily and suffer from what sound like, some mean terrors.  Probably not the best idea to eat.

The name henbane dates back to about AD 1265 and it may have been the hebenon poured into the ear of Hamlet's father.  The name henbane references that it is toxic to fowl but pigs will eat it and some species of Lepidoptera will also eat it (those clever caterpillars).

Grown in the open, pretty really

Habitat/range:  Originally from Eurasia, we've done a good job spreading it far from home. It is listed as a regulated invasive in: WA, ID, CA, NV, NM, and CO.  Depending on the maps you are looking at, it is finding small pockets to naturalize throughout many areas of the USA.  It enjoys disturbed soils and sites and sees can remain viable for upwards of 4 years in the soil bank.  I believe I read it was more of a Mediterranean plant at some point, which seems to fit the dry/poor soil bill.

Speaking of seeds, there the capsules are.  Almost look like Corylus eh?

Description:  It is a biennial or summer annual depending on where it is.  It has a very short hypocotyl (the stem of a seedling between seed and first cotyledons).  Forms a basal rosette of leaves and a branched to few branched stem that is densely covered with long glandular hairs.  Leaves are alternate and entire but very irregularly lobed, sometimes not much, sometimes more, it varies.  Leaves are very hairy, kind of impressed with how long they are, it needs a shave.  Veins of the leaves are an intriguing white color.  Leaves have a short petiole near the base becoming more sessile (also a word spellchecker) towards the top.  Oh, it has a taproot too (a fairly common Solanaceae thing)

Flowers are superlative.  A unique kind of yellow green for the petals, often with purple veins throughout and a purple throat.  Just fantastic really, a real looker.  Flowers often occur between June-September but I imagine it varies greatly by location.

The yellow and purple are great together.