Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2008. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Black horehound - Ballota nigra

Black horehound - Ballota nigraBlack horehound - Ballota nigra
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

Black horehound is a bushy perennial with hairy, heart-shaped, bright green, toothed leaves, which often turn black when the plant has flowered.

The pink-purple funnel-like flowers are arranged in whorls towards the top of the stem. When the leaves are crushed they give off a strongly resinous smell, which serves as a deterrent to herbivores and may help to explain why a local name for this plant is 'stinking roger'! It grows in hedgerows, waysides and waste ground, often on disturbed, nutrient-rich soils near habitations.

There are several garden cultivars of Ballota, but these bear little resemblance to the native species.

Animals

Striped millipede

FoliageGreen
FlowerPurple, July to September
MoistureAverage (Average)
SunlightFull sun to Part-shadeFull sun to Part-shade (Full sun to Part-shade)
OriginNative