Hyoscyamus muticus

'Egyptian Henbane'

[Ex. Lake Nasser, Egypt]

[These seeds where originally collected from wild plants on the shores of Lake Nasser, Egypt. Summer 2014]

I have finally found a source of genuine Hyoscyamus muticus seed, this plant has fleshy succulent leaves and flowers are white to pink with dark violet veins or spots, the leaves of Hyoscyamus muticus have a high alkaloid content, with up to 5.2% of dry matter in individual plants. In smaller amounts, alkaloids are also present in roots and stems and the marketed product is a mixture of stems and leaves. The major alkaloid is hyoscyamine, but scopolamine (= hyoscine), tigloidine and tropine are also present. Scopolamine content is of major interest to the pharmaceutical industry, and it is said that the Egyptian government have ban on letting any viable seed from this species out of the country.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds, keep moist and in place in a bright sunny place, at 20°C, I soaked all my seed in a GA3 solution to promote germination, and germination was very high. Grow plants as for cacti, full sun and free draining soil, humidity needs to be kept to a minim, they seem to really suffer if kept in the shade or in high humidity, but respond well to like regular watering. Spacing for optimal leaf production and alkaloid yield is about 45 cm between rows and 15 cm in the rows or pots.

WARNING: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!

HARVESTED: 2023*

APPROX. 30 SEEDS [LIMITED STOCK!]