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Ballota nigra
  • Black Horehound

a perennial member of the Ballota genus in the family Labiatae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Ballota nigra has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Ballota nigra.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Ballota nigra.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Black horehound has a long history of herbal use, though is not widely employed in modern herbalism because of its unpleasant flavour[1][2]. Nonetheless, it does have a range of medicinal virtues, being especially effective in its action as an antiemetic[3]. In the past it was often used for treating problems connected with the respiratory system, convulsions, low spirits and the menopause, but present-day authorities differ over whether it was effective in these applications[3].

The whole plant is antiemetic, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant and vermifuge[4][5][1]. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous dyspepsia, travelling sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy, arthritis, gout, menstrual disorders and bronchial complaints[1][3].

The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[1]. It should not be stored for longer than a year[1]. The fresh herb is sometimes used to make a syrup[1].

Unknown part

Antiemetic
Antispasmodic
Stimulant
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c[6]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or following autumn. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ballota nigra. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade[6][1]. Avoids acid soils in the wild but tolerates a pH down to 5 in cultivation[7].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[7]. This species is widely grown in herb gardens, but little employed because of its strong flavour[1]. Its essential oil is used to adulterate the oil of white horehound (Marrubium vulgare)[1]. The leaves emit a most unpleasant smell when bruised, somewhat like stale perspiration[8]. Plants can self-sow freely when well-sited[1]. There is at least one named variety selected for its ornamental value[1].

The whole plant has an offensive odour[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ballota nigra. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ballota nigra.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ballota nigra
Genus
Ballota
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[9][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.9 x 0.75 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.11 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    6. ? 6.06.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    9. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-17

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-13" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Ballota_nigra&oldid=75503"
    Facts about "Ballota nigra"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusBallota +
    Has binomial nameBallota nigra +
    Has common nameBlack Horehound +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageBallota nigra 2005.06.19 10.13.06-p6190007.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.9 +
    Has mature width0.75 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiemetic +, Antispasmodic +, Stimulant + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageBallota nigra 2005.06.19 10.13.06-p6190007.jpg +
    Has search nameballota nigra + and black horehound +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBallota nigra +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Ballota nigra +, Ballota nigra +, Ballota nigra + and Ballota nigra +