Hyoscyamus niger n 1: poisonous fetid Old World herb having sticky hairy leaves and yellow-brown flowers; yields hyoscyamine and scopolamine [syn: {henbane}, {black henbane}, {stinking nightshade}, {Hyoscyamus niger}]
Hyoscyamine \Hy`os*cy"a*mine\, n. [See {Hyoscyamus}.] (Chem.) An alkaloid found in henbane ({Hyoscyamus niger}), and regarded as its active principle. It is also found with other alkaloids in the thorn apple and deadly nightshade. It is extracted as a white crystalline substance, with a sharp, offensive taste. Hyoscyamine is isomeric with atropine, is very poisonous, and is used as a medicine for neuralgia, like belladonna. Called also {hyoscyamia}, {duboisine}, etc. [1913 Webster]
Hyoscyamus \Hy`os*cy"a*mus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? a sow, hog + ? a bean.] 1. (Bot.) A genus of poisonous plants of the Nightshade family; henbane. [1913 Webster] 2. (Med.) The leaves of the black henbane ({Hyoscyamus niger}), used in neuralgic and pectorial troubles. [1913 Webster]
Henbane \Hen"bane`\, n. [Hen + bane.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Hyoscyamus} ({Hyoscyamus niger}). All parts of the plant are poisonous, and the leaves are used for the same purposes as belladonna. It is poisonous to domestic fowls; whence the name. Called also, {stinking nightshade}, from the fetid odor of the plant. See {Hyoscyamus}. [1913 Webster]