The Town of Cochrane is urging property owners to take early action against Black Henbane, a fast-spreading and poisonous weed designated as a noxious species under the Alberta Weed Control Act.
All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, and skin contact can cause irritation. Black Henbane is also highly invasive—it can produce up to 500,000 seeds in a single season, making early detection and removal critical.
“It spreads by seed only, so the best time to control it is before it flowers or goes to seed,” the Town advised in a recent notice.
Residents are encouraged to follow these steps when removing the plant:
- Wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants;
- Pull or dig the plant out at the root;
- Bag all plant material and dispose of it in the black bin (not compost or green bins).
For more information, visit: cochrane.ca/parks-recreation/weeds-invasive-species
