Henban From the family Solanaceae

This native of Europe has become widely distributed worldwide and is found growing -J- on waste ground or roadsides on well-drained sandy or chalk soils. Two famous deaths are attributed to henbane. Hamlet's father was murdered by a distillation of henbane being poured in his ear, and in 1910 Dr Crippen used hyoscine, which is extracted from the plant, to murder his wife. Every part of the plant is toxic.

Henbane has been considered to have aphrodisiac properties and is the main ingredient in some love potions and witches' brews. It was also placed by the hinges of outer doors to

protect against sorcery.

SPECIES

Hyoscyamus niger

Henbane

Annual/biennial. Ht up to 80cm (32in), spread 30cm (12in). Flowers bloom in summer, are yellow/brown or cream, funnel-shaped, and usually marked with purple veins. Leaves are hairy with

large teeth, and the upper leaves have no stalks. The whole plant smells foul.

Hyoscyamus albus

White Henbane

Annual. Ht 30cm (12in), spread 30cm (12in). Its summer flowers are pale yellow marked with violet veins, funnel-shaped. Leaves are identical to H. niger.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed

Sow the fairly small seeds on the surface of pots or trays in spring, and cover with Perlite. Germination 10-15 days. If you want henbane to behave like a biennial, sow in early autumn, keeping the soil moist until germination (which can be erratic, but on average takes about 14-21 days). Winter the young plants in a cold frame or cold glasshouse. Plant out the following spring at a distance of 30cm (12in).

Pests and Diseases

This plant in the main is free from pests and diseases.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seed.

Summer: Dead-head flowers to maintain plant (wear gloves).

Autumn: Sow seed for second-year flowers.

Winter: Protect young plants.

Garden Cultivation

Choose the site for planting henbane with care, because it is poisonous. It will tolerate any growing situation but shows a preference for a well-drained sunny site. Sow seeds in late spring. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to 30cm (12in) apart. It can look striking in a mixed border.

Harvest

Collect seed when the head turns brown and begins to open at the end.

CONTAINER GROWING

Inadvisable to grow such a poisonous plant this way.

MEDICINAL

This plant was used for a wide range of conditions which required sedation. The alkaloid hyoscine, which is derived from the green tops and leaves, is used as a hypnotic and brain] sedative for the seasick, excitable and insane. It is also used externally in analgesic preparations to relieve rheumatism and arthritis. The syrup has a sedative effect in cases of Parkinson's Disease.