What is "ballota nigra"

Horehound \Hore"hound`\, n. [OE. horehune, AS. h[=a]rhune; h[=a]r hoar, gray + hune horehound; cf. L. cunila a species of organum, Gr. ?, Skr. kn?y to smell.] (Bot.)

1. A plant of the genus Marrubium ( Marrubium vulgare), which has a bitter taste, and is a weak tonic, used as a household remedy for colds, coughing, etc. [Written also hoarhound.]

2. A lozenge or tablet, usually sweetened, containing extract of horehound, used as a remedy for a cough or a sore throat.

   Fetid horehound, or Black horehound, a disagreeable plant resembling horehound ( Ballota nigra).

   Water horehound, a species of the genus Lycopus, resembling mint, but not aromatic.

Ballota nigra (black horehound) is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and to central Asia, and it can be found throughout Europe. It is also naturalized in Argentina, New Zealand, and the Eastern United States. It blooms in the Northern Hemisphere from May to August.