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horehound

Scientific Name: Ballota

Family: Lamiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Horehound: A Versatile Herb

Horehound is a common name referring to plants in two related genera. The most frequently mentioned is Marrubium vulgare, also known as white horehound or common horehound.

Considerations for Pets

  • Horehound has hairy leaves and can grow into a spreading herb up to 80 cm high.
  • The plant produces a fruit that is described as a burr.
  • Horehound contains a bitter compound called marrubiin.

Considerations for Children

  • Horehound has hairy leaves and can grow into a spreading herb up to 80 cm high.
  • The plant produces a fruit that is described as a burr.
  • Horehound contains a bitter compound called marrubiin.
  • Horehound is traditionally used to make candies, such as Horehound Drops.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Marrubium vulgare
  • Common Names: White horehound, common horehound, hoarhound
  • Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family), also referred to as Labiatae

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern and central Asia.
  • Naturalized in North America.
  • Widespread throughout Victoria (Australia).
  • Black horehound, Ballota nigra, is considered a weed in Europe, thriving in open areas, pavement cracks, and roadsides, mostly near human habitation.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A perennial spreading herb that can grow up to 80 cm high.
  • Leaves can grow up to 7 cm long, with margins featuring rounded teeth.
  • Leaves and stems have long, star-shaped hairs, giving them a downy or fuzzy appearance.
  • Small white flowers.
  • Fruit is a burr.

Uses and Benefits

  • Traditionally used for medicinal purposes, particularly as an expectorant to aid in the discharge of congestive materials from the lungs.
  • Used to make horehound drops, a type of candy often used to soothe sore throats.
  • The plant contains marrubiin, a bitter principle believed to be a pain reliever and nervous system stimulant.

Ecological Role

  • Black horehound (Ballota nigra) is considered a weed in some areas.
  • In Australia, Marrubium is not native, and there are no indigenous species in the same genus or tribe.

Quirky Facts

  • The text mentions the album "Horehound" by the band The Dead Weather, featuring Jack White.
  • One source humorously defines "horehound" as an overly amorous female canine.

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia.com provides facts and information about horehound.
  • WebMD offers patient medical information on white horehound.
  • Amazon UK sells horehound products.
  • Thesaurus.com lists synonyms for horehound.