Black Henbane

Hyoscyamus Niger

What is it?

Black Henbane is native to Europe and northern Africa where it was cultivated for medicinal use. Black Henbane is an invasive weed that invades pastures, meadows, riparian areas, waste areas and roadsides throughout the United States. Black Henbane does well in most soil types and a variety of environmental conditions, but is primarily found in sandy and well-drained loam soils and does not tolerate saturated soils.

Why is it a problem?

It can form dense stands that replace other vegetation, and decrease forage production and plant diversity. All parts of the Black Henbane plant are poisonous to humans and livestock. Livestock will typically avoid this plant because an odor and bitter taste. Seeds of the back henbane can stay viable in soil for up to five years, which makes control difficult.

Management Techniques:

Land managers need to make sure they can properly identify the plant and understand the plant’s life cycle and growth requirements.

Most management objectives involve preventing seed production and monitoring populations periodically. Monitoring is required for several years to control new plants. Desired cover crops can be used to reduce black henbane from taking over.

Chemical applications of herbicides can also be used. Black Henbane spread through rhizomes, which means that management can be difficult. If trying to pull the weeds by hand, it is best to wait until the soil is moist to ensure the entire root is removed.

What can we do?

The best thing to do is to be able to identify the plant and pull it before seed production is able to occur. Chemical applications of pesticides can also be conducted. Contacting local agencies for more information is also beneficial. More information about when to spray each type of noxious weed can be obtained from the Gunnison County Weed Coordinator, Rick Yegge, at 209-8831, or from John Scott, Manager of the Gunnison Conservation District of the state Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at 641-0494.

Entities working on this invasive in the Gunnison Basin:

Bureau of Land Management

PDF of a noxious weed management plan for natural gas facilities near Montrose

National Park Service (NPS)

PDF of an invasive plant monitoring guide for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

General Information on Black Henbane:

Colorado State University Extension

Website of that provides description and control measures for black henbane

Montana State University Extension

PDF, identification, biology and integrated management of black henbane