124 STOCK-POISOmNG PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



HENBANE. 



{Hyoscyamus niger L.) 



A coarse biennial 1 to 2 feet high, with wavy, clasping leaves and 

 dull yellow, finely spotted flowers 1 to 2 inches in width, in long, one- 

 sided leafy spikes (PL XX). This plant was found at Bigtimber, 

 Mont., but no other locality is known in the State. It has also 

 escaped from cultivation in Nova Scotia, Ontario, New York, and 

 Michigan. 



The henbane, or black henbane, is the most important and interest- 

 ing representative of the potato family found in Montana. The order 

 is very feebly represented on account of the high latitude, but this 

 coarse, viscid plant, which is a native weed of Europe, has become 

 well established in at least one station in the State. Herbarium speci- 

 mens were collected at Bigtimber on May 12. Other specimens were 

 collected at the same place on June 15. Stock generally shun the 

 plant on account of its ill odor and harsh texture, but a few cases of 

 poisoning by it are recorded in foreign literature. Inquiry at Bigtim- 

 ber revealed the fact that the plant has there proved poisonous to 

 chickens which ate the ripe seeds. Ripe seeds were collected in July and 

 furnished to this Department by Mr. Roy Spillman. Since the hen- 

 bane yields an abundance of seed, and since the plant has developed so 

 robustly at Bigtimber, it is quite possible that it may spread to other 

 localities, if it has not already done so. The plant is a deep-rooted 

 perennial and requires vigorous pulling to eradicate it thoroughly. 



Experiments with the permanganate mixture and hyoscyamine, the 

 characteristic alkaloid of the henbane, seem to indicate that it would 

 not serve well as an antidote in case of poisoning caused by the plant. 



BLACK NIGHTSHADE. 



{Solanmn nigruin L.) 



A smooth, much-branched annual, 4 to 12 inches high, with ovate, 

 wavy toothed leaves, white flowers in small clusters on the sides of the 

 stem, and black globular berries. The plant blossoms from June to 

 August. This species is becoming common in cultivated and waste 

 ground in all parts of Montana. It is common throughout the United 

 States in similar situations. Very little, if any, damage is to be attrib- 

 uted to the plant in Montana. A few cases of poisoning are recorded 

 against it elsewhere for calves, sheep, goats, and swine. 



POTATO. 



{Solanum tuberosum L.) 



On a stock ranch in the Flathead Valley 6 pigs died from eating 

 uncooked potatoes. The potatoes had all sprouted and were considered 



