hyoscyamus

hyoscyamus [ˌhaɪəˈsaɪəməs]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any plant of the solanaceous genus Hyoscyamus, of Europe, Asia, and N Africa, including henbane

[from New Latin, from Greek huoskuamos, from hus pig + kuamos bean; the plant was thought to be poisonous to pigs]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Hyoscyamus - genus of poisonous herbs: henbane     genus Hyoscyamus asterid dicot genus - genus of more or less advanced dicotyledonous herbs and some trees and shrubs family Solanaceae, potato family, Solanaceae - large and economically important family of herbs or shrubs or trees often strongly scented and sometimes narcotic or poisonous; includes the genera Solanum, Atropa, Brugmansia, Capsicum, Datura, Hyoscyamus, Lycopersicon, Nicotiana, Petunia, Physalis, and Solandra black henbane, henbane, Hyoscyamus niger, stinking nightshade - poisonous fetid Old World herb having sticky hairy leaves and yellow-brown flowers; yields hyoscyamine and scopolamine Egyptian henbane, Hyoscyamus muticus - poisonous herb whose leaves are a source of hyoscyamine