Black horehound (Ballota nigra) is an early sprouting plant and its leaves appear at the beginning of March.
The young leaves are roundish to heart-shaped, while the older leaves at the top of the shoots are ovate-lanceolate. They can grow up to 10 cm long with the stem.
![Black horehound by the wayside](https://leaftypes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Black-horehound-by-the-wayside.webp)
Habitus & biology
Ballota nigra is a perennial plant that can grow up to one meter in height. It blooms from June to October and the flowers can be dark pink to almost white in color.
Origin & habitats
Black horehound is native to Europe, North Africa, West Asia and the Caucasus (source). It grows in sunny to semi-shady locations on embankments, in front of bushes or hedges, along roadsides and on or near walls.
![Black horehound and black nightshade](https://leaftypes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Black-horehound-and-black-nightshade.webp)
Botany
Botanically, Ballota nigra belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is therefore not related to stinging nettles.