# Black horehound (*Ballota nigra*)

Black horehound is a plant with fuzzy leaves and small purple flowers. It grows in many places and has a strong smell that some people find interesting!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Black horehound](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ballota_nigra_subsp._nigra_sl13.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ballota_nigra_subsp._nigra_sl13.jpg)

## Appearance

The Black horehound has square, hairy stems and dark green, crinkled leaves with a distinct odor when crushed. Its small, purplish-pink to white flowers grow in dense whorls around the stem, often looking a bit hidden among the leaves.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Ballota

## Interesting facts

- Its unique scent, sometimes described as earthy or musty, kept bad smells away in old houses!
- Like many mints, this plant has a square stem, which is a cool secret identifier!
- People once planted Black horehound near doors to ward off scary spirits and witches!
- The 'horehound' part of its name might mean 'hoary' or 'hairy', just like its fuzzy leaves!

## Special abilities

- **Scent Shield:** Black horehound has a strong, minty yet musky scent when crushed that helps it deter hungry animals from eating its leaves.
- **Fuzzy Fortification:** Its stems and leaves are covered in soft hairs, protecting the plant from excessive water loss and some insect pests.
- **Rooted Resilience:** This plant has a deep, tough taproot that helps it survive in dry, poor soils by reaching water deep underground.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-100 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Early Autumn
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees are frequent visitors, gathering nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Bumblebees often visit its small, tubular flowers for nectar.
- **Pollinates:** Drone fly (*Eristalis tenax*) — Drone flies, a type of hoverfly, are attracted to its blooms.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any plant.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Black horehound?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Black horehound?

30-100 cm

### How wide does Black horehound spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Black horehound?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Black horehound bloom?

Late Spring to Early Autumn

### Is Black horehound edible?

No

### Is Black horehound toxic?

Mild

### What is Black horehound's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Black horehound: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-horehound)