Black Horehound is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 100cm.
Black Horehound has purple flowers borne in dense whorls around its stems. Initially green sepal tubes, stems and leaves gradually 'blacken' over time to a dark reddish-brown, giving rise to the colour reference in its name. The name 'Horehound' is derived from the Old English for 'downy plant', which is apt, given that the Black Horehound not only has downy stems and leaves but also has a hairy upper hood to its flowers. Black Horehound can also be identified by its pungent musty smell.
Botanic classification and naming: Black Horehound is a member of the Mint (Lamiaceae) family. The genus name
'Ballota' identifies the plant as a Horehound and its species name 'nigra' means 'black'.
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