Appearance
Hyoscyamus niger is an annual or biennial plant that can grow to 3 ft. (1 m) in height.

Foliage
The fetid smelling leaves are alternate, simple, toothed, up to 8 in. (20 cm) long, and 6 in. (15 cm) wide. In the early season (annual), or first year of growth (biennial), the plant is represented by a rosette.

Flowers
Flowering occurs in spring to early fall. Flowers are cream to green, five-lobed, 2 in. (5 cm) wide and have purple throats.

Fruit
Seeds are small and black. Prolific seed production increases the spread of this plant, as a single plant can produce up to half a million seeds.

Ecological Threat
Hyoscyamus niger is native to the Mediterranean and is poisonous to most mammals. It has been used medicinally for hundreds of years.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alberta Weed Control Act
• California Noxious Weeds
• Colorado Noxious Weeds
• Idaho Noxious Weeds
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Nevada Noxious Weeds
• New Mexico Noxious Weeds
• Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
• Utah Noxious Weeds - Control
• Washington Noxious Weeds
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
• Wyoming Noxious Weeds

References