Leonotis nepetifolia

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Lamiids
Ordo: Lamiales

Familia: Lamiaceae
Subfamilia: Lamioideae
Tribus: Leucadeae
Genus: Leonotis
Species: Leonotis nepetifolia
Name

Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R.Br.
References

W. T. Aiton, Hortus kew. ed. 2, 3:409. 1811
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Leonotis nepetifolia in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
suomi: Palloleijonankorva
français: Bougeoir de Noël

Leonotis nepetifolia, (also known as klip dagga, Christmas candlestick, or lion's ear[1]), is a species of plant in the genus Leonotis and the family Lamiaceae (mint). It is native to tropical Africa and southern India. It can also be found growing abundantly in much of Latin America, the West Indies,[2] and the Southeastern United States.[3] It grows to a height of 3 metres (9 ft 10 in) and has whorls of striking lipped flowers, that are most commonly orange,[1] but can vary to red, white, and purple. It has drooping dark green, very soft serrated leaves that can grow up to 10 centimetres (4 in) wide.[1] Sunbirds and ants are attracted to the flowers.[1] It has been found growing on road sides, rubbish heaps or waste land.[1]

L. nepetifolia is considered an invasive plant in Australia, Florida, and Hawaii, though its tendency to grow in disturbed areas led researchers in Hawaii to conclude it's not likely to be an ecological threat.[4]

Varieties

Leonotis nepetifolia var. africana (P.Beauv.) J.K.Morton - Indian Subcontinent, much of Africa
Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia - much of Africa

Related species

Leonotis nepetifolia (klip dagga) is related to L. leonurus (wild dagga or lion's tail.) The most noticeable difference between the two is the leaf shape. L. nepetifolia leaves are cordate with serrated edges, except the top pair which are lanceolate with serrated edges, as pictured in taxonomy box. The leaves are all lanceolate with serrated edges on L. leonurus.
Traditional medicine

Leonotis nepetifolia is known in Trinidad as shandilay and the leaves are brewed as a tea for fever, coughs, womb prolapse and malaria.[5] The dried leaves are sometimes used as a legal substitute for marijuana.[6] The roots of L. nepetifolia are considered to be the botanical sources of granthiparna, an ayurvedic herb.

References

Napier, E. "NOTES· ON WILD FLOWERS" (PDF). biodiversitylibrary.org. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
"Plants Profile for Leonotis nepetifolia (Christmas candlestick)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
"Leonotis nepetifolia (Christmas candelstick)". CABI Invasive Species Compendium. November 22, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
Mendes, John. 1986. Cote ce Cote la: Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary, Arima, Trinidad, p. 135.
"LION'S EAR HERBAL TEA". tropilab.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.