Black Horehound (Stinking Roger, Stinking Horehound)
Do not Feed
- Common Name: Black Horehound (Stinking Roger, Stinking Horehound)
- Latin Name: Ballota nigra
- Family Name: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Black Horehound is similar to its close cousin White Horehound (Marrubiam vulgare), apart from the flower colour and smell. This shrubby plant can grow up to 1m (3' 3") tall and has a pungent, rotten smell when the leaves are bruised.
Black Horehound should be treated with caution within the tortoise diet, as it contains flavonoids (which have sedative properties) and tannins, which are mildly astringent and could possibly make the plant unpalatable to tortoises.
We do not think that the odd nibble of a leaf will do any harm, as most of the toxic properties would only be felt if large quantities are consumed, but we advise you not to actively feed this plant.
Do not confuse with Deadnettle, which can look similar but is a different plant.
Black Horehound should be treated with caution within the tortoise diet, as it contains flavonoids (which have sedative properties) and tannins, which are mildly astringent and could possibly make the plant unpalatable to tortoises.
We do not think that the odd nibble of a leaf will do any harm, as most of the toxic properties would only be felt if large quantities are consumed, but we advise you not to actively feed this plant.
Do not confuse with Deadnettle, which can look similar but is a different plant.
