Ballota flowers and Marrubium

UK Horehound flowers

There are two different kinds of Horehound in the UK – Black Horehound Ballota nigra and White Horehound Marrubium vulgare. Although the name sounds exotic, I found that it only refers to the plants downy (hoary) nature.

Black horehound – Ballota nigra

Black Horehound is common in South East England and I don’t have many photos of it as it is often a scruffy plant. It has purple flowers.

This plant seen on Seaford Head was definitely scruffy!

Black Horehound Ballota nigra Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Black Horehound – *Ballota nigra* – Seaford Head – Aug 2021

I have tagged posts mentioning Black horehound – Ballota nigra with the label Horehound or Ballota.

https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/tag/horehound/

https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/tag/ballota/

White horehound – Marrubium vulgare

I hadn’t heard of White Horehound until 2021 when it was pointed out to me by Chris at Seaford Natural History Society. I understand that it’s quite rare in the UK. However we were in Crowlink Sussex where there is a known colony.

White horehound – Marrubium vulgare has it’s own page.