Highly poisonous plant identified at Lake Diefenbaker

A noxious, invasive plant proven to pose a serious risk to people, pets, livestock and wildlife has been found at Lake Diefenbaker.

The RM of Victory issued a public safety notice late last week, warning that black henbane, a poisonous annual or biennial plant, has been identified along the shores and the grasslands around Lake Diefenbaker.

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Harmful henbane

All parts of the black henbane plant are toxic, including the leaves, flowers, stems, seeds and roots. Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is also known as hogbane, insane root, and stinking nightshade, and has a provincial designation as noxious.

Signs of black henbane poisoning in people can include dilated pupils, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, agitation or hallucinations, flushed or dry skin, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing and, in severe cases, seizures, coma or death. Signs of poisoning in animals can include dilated pupils, excessive thirst, rapid heartbeat, weakness, tremors, difficulty breathing and death in severe cases.

According to the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre, black henbane can thrive in most soil types, and flowers from June to September, with peak flowering in July.

Precautions

The RM of Victory advised residents to take the following precautions:

• never touch black henbane with bare hands;
• wear gloves, eye protection, and long clothing if handling is necessary;
• supervise children and teach them to never touch or eat unknown plants;
• ensure pets and livestock aren’t in infested areas;
• avoid inhaling dust from the dried plant or its seeds;
• avoid burning the plant; and
• clean any tools or clothing thoroughly if they come into contact with the plant.

Identification

Black henbane can be identified by thick stems coated in fine hairs, which can grow up to a metre tall. The plant has large, greyish-green leaves, urn-shaped seed pods and pale yellow, funnel-shaped flowers with dark purple centres.

Anyone who suspects a person or animal has ingested black henbane should seek medical attention immediately.