Ballota nigra subspecies ruderalis

Βαλλωτή η μαύρη υποείδος η χωροκατακτική

Etymology of Ballota nigra subspecies ruderalis: The name of the genus, "Ballota", comes from the Ancient Greek name of the genus "Βαλλωτή" [Valloti], mentioned by Dioscorides and which is probably of Pre-Greek origin (We don't know what it means. Claims that it derives from "βάλλω" are groundless as the verb is not translated as "to reject"). The epithet "nigra" is Latin and means "black", probably referring to the blackened leaves when the plant dries. The term "ruderalis", translated as "ruderal" is derived from the Latin "rudus, ruder" meaning "rubble, debris" +‎ the suffix "-alis"; a ruderal species refers to any plant that is the first to colonize land after a disturbance removing competition.

There are two Ballota subspecies in the wild Cypriot habitat.

Ballota nigra subsp. ruderalis is a relatively rare plant in Cyprus. It does not appear in eastern Cyprus, nor in the Akamas region. It grows up to a maximum altitude of 1375 metres and prefers waste ground, hedgerows, woods and shady places, preferring nitrogen-rich, moist, rather loose soil. The specimen in the picture was photographed in October in Kalopanagiotis village (Nicosia district) next to a stream. Its flowering period is between May and October.