Henbane
Hyoscyamus Niger

In Greek mythology, the dead who wander the shores of the River Styx are crowned with henbane, most likely because of its real life ability to make one forget oneself. Greek oracles were said to breathe the smoke of this baneful Saturn herb in order to divine the future. Logically enough, it is sacred to Hekate. It was used ritually in ancient Scotland, apparently in connection with honoring the dead, as it was found in a Neolithic funerary site. It is an ingredient in incense burned as a part of shapeshifting work, especially when the wolf is the figure involved. Henbane was often grown in medieval gardens; its smoke deadened the pain of toothache. It came to North America with the colonists in 1670 and it is said to grow wild in many areas, although I have never seen it. People have died from eating parts of this plant, especially the seeds, but it is one-tenth as strong as Belladonna, and the dried plant even less so. This herb is also known as Hyoscyamus, Hog's-bean, Jupiter's-bean, Symphonica, Cassilata, Cassilago, Deus Caballinus, Henbell, and Jusquiame. Poisonous.

How to grow Henbane. Put seeds in water and store in fridge for two weeks, changing water daily (this leaches out anti-germination chemicals). Then sow to germinate in 9 days at room temperature. You can also cold stratify by folding them into a paper towel that has been wet and wrung out; put that in a baggie, and put in fridge for two weeks. Then sow. Be careful not to overwater, because this plant is prone to damping off (suddenly dying from fungus). Transplant when they get two inches tall to a sunny, sandy, alkaline soil. You can crowd them into clumps, because they get a tap root rather than spreading out horizontally. It can be grown in a pot, but it will stay quite small. In the ground, it gets tall enough to flop over. Water when the soil is dry, but give a bit more water when they are flowering. This baneful herb likes compost side dressing (just put some in a ring at the drip line of the plant) and foliar fertilizer (spray organic fertilizer like fish emulsion on the undersides of the leaves in the early morning). Grows 1-3 feet high. These seeds are annual, although henbane can be an annual or a biennial, depending on the particular seed. If it is in a pot, this plant will wilt in heat. Watch out for aphids with this one. Check under the leaves periodically for tiny white or green bugs. Use Safer Insecticidal Soap to get rid of them. Slugs and snails also savor the leaves; check for them under pots during the daytime.