Horehound facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballota |
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Ballota, also known as horehound, is a group of about 35 different kinds of flowering plants. These plants belong to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes mint! You can find Ballota plants growing naturally in warm parts of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. They are especially common around the Mediterranean region.
What are Ballota Plants Like?
Ballota plants are often used as food by the young forms (called larvae) of some Lepidoptera, which are a group of insects that includes butterflies and moths. For example, tiny caterpillars from the Coleophora family, like C. ballotella and C. lineolea, eat Ballota leaves. One type, C. lineolea, has even been seen eating Ballota nigra, also known as Black Horehound.
Different Kinds of Ballota
There are many different species within the Ballota genus. Here are a few examples:
- Ballota acetabulosa
- Ballota frutescens
- Ballota hirsuta
- Ballota nigra - This one is commonly called Black Horehound.
- Ballota pseudodictamnus
The Ballota genus is quite similar to another plant group called Marrubium. In the past, some Ballota species were even thought to belong to the Marrubium group.
Want to Learn More?
In Spanish: Ballota (género) para niños
