Ballota L.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herbs or small shrubs, with branched and/or simple hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves toothed, petiolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence thyrsoid or racemoid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles sometimes long and spinose (sect. acanthoprasium)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx mostly campanulate, often widely so, 5-10(-20)-lobed, lobes equal or variously unequal, mostly ± spiny

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla strongly 2-lipped (1-2/3), purple to white, upper long hooded or almost flat, entire, 2-fid or dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens not or only shortly exserted from corolla, thecae ± distinct

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma lobes subequal or slightly unequal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets rounded or subtruncate at apex, glabrous or with sessile glands at apex.

Note

2n = 18, 20, 22, 28.  About 30 species

Distribution

Europe, North Africa; West and Central Asia, with one species, B. africana (L.) Benth., in South Africa and Namibia, and B. nigra L. introduced to other temperate parts of the world (Australia, New Zealand and Southern South America)