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Glite Dictionary
Hyoscyamus niger

Hyoscyamus niger

9.9
A poisonous plant also called henbane with sticky, hairy leaves and yellow-brown flowers that can cause hallucinations if eaten
  • noun
  • /haɪoʊˈskaɪəməs ˈnaɪɡər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hyoscyamo negro
  • The toxic alkaloids in Hyoscyamus niger can cause hallucinations if ingested.

Examples

  • Researchers study Hyoscyamus niger for its potential medicinal compounds.

  • Farmers should be cautious of Hyoscyamus niger in their fields.

  • Hyoscyamus niger has been used in traditional medicine despite its toxic properties.

  • The plant Hyoscyamus niger is known for its toxic properties.

  • The toxic alkaloids in Hyoscyamus niger can cause hallucinations if ingested.

  • The plant Hyoscyamus niger is known for its toxic properties.

  • Researchers study Hyoscyamus niger for its potential medicinal compounds.

Synonyms

henbane
vsHyoscyamus niger
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A poisonous herb with sticky, hairy leaves and yellowish brown flowers

is the same plant but identified by its botanical name and alkaloids
black henbane
vsHyoscyamus niger
  • Specialized
9.9

A poisonous plant with sticky, hairy leaves and yellow-brown flowers from Europe, Asia and North Africa

is similar but named broadly for Old World distribution and same toxic compounds
stinking nightshade
vsHyoscyamus niger
  • UK
9.9

A poisonous plant with a strong bad smell, sticky hairy leaves, and yellow-brown flowers

is the same poisonous Old World herb lacking emphasis on smell in name

Surface Forms

Hyoscyamus niger singular
Hyoscyamus niger plural

Morphology

Hyoscyamus + niger

This is a scientific Latin binomial: knowing 'Hyoscyamus' (a genus of poisonous herbs) would allow a learner to infer the phrase refers to a type/species of that herb, so part of the meaning (a poisonous plant) is recoverable. However, the specific epithet 'niger' is a Latin label (and here not a transparent English word) and the exact species identity and toxic properties (henbane, production of hyoscyamine/scopolamine) are not predictable from the parts, so the expression is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Hyoscyamus niger comes from old words: Hyoscyamus meant 'pig' and niger meant 'black', because people saw pigs eating the plant and its seeds looked dark. That picture of a 'black pig-bean' helps remember that Hyoscyamus niger is a strong, poisonous herb that can make people see things that are not real.