hyoscyamus niger

4 definitions found

hyoscyamus niger - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

hyoscyamus niger - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  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]