Black Horehound?

[JennyS]

Another photo from earlier in the year, I went back a few weeks later hoping it was in flower and the whole lot had been strimmed.....
The leaves look like Black Horehound, Ballota nigra, but as I've not come across it before I'm not certain. Help appreciated!

[aeshna5]

Looks like Hedge Woundwort, Stachys sylvatica, to me.

[JennyS]

Could be, but they didn't look quite right ........
Another photo, of the plant next to that one:

[aeshna5]

That does look more like it. Sometimes it can be a lot more difficult seeing a photo of a few leaves than examining it yourself- the smell is quite distinctive. Certianly a common plant in southern England.

[JennyS]

Thanks aeshna5

[trampas45]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Another photo from earlier in the year, I went back a few weeks later hoping it was in flower and the whole lot had been strimmed.....
The leaves look like Black Horehound, Ballota nigra, but as I've not come across it before I'm not certain. Help appreciated!

Yip! It is Black horehound.
Interestingly, it was used in the 1st century by a Greek doctor, (Pedanios Dioscorides), in the Roman army as a herbal remedy for the worst infected wounds. Probably because the smell of the plant was similar to the smell given off by the infection. sorry to be so graphic.