Common Lionspaw

Leonotis leonurus

Description - from Wikipedia

Leonotis leonurus, also known as lion's tail and wild dagga, is a plant species in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The plant is a broadleaf evergreen large shrub native to South Africa, where it is very common. It is known for its medicinal properties. The main psychoactive component of Leonotis leonurus is hypothesized to be related to the presence of leonurine or labdanes, Leonotis leonurus has been confirmed to contain leonurine according to peer reviewed journal published phytochemical analysis. Like other plants in the mint family, it also contains marrubiin. The word "dagga" comes from Afrikaans, and derives in turn from the Khoikhoi "dachab". The word "dagga" has been extended to include cannabis in Afrikaans and South African English, so the use of "wild" serves to distinguish Leonotis leonurus from this.

Description
The shrub grows 3 to 6 ft (1 to 2 m) tall by 1.5 to 3.5 feet (0.46 to 1.07 m) wide. The medium-dark green 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) long leaves are aromatic when crushed. The plant has 1.75 inch (4.5 cm) tubular orange flowers in tiered whorls (verticillasters) typical to the mint family, that encircle the square stems. They rise up to three feet (0.9 meters) above the foliage mass during the summer season, with flowering continuing into winter in warmer climates.

Variation in flower color
A white variety (known colloquially as 'Alba') and a yellow variety also exist.

Ecology
The native habitat of Leonotis leonurus is damp grasslands of southern Africa. It attracts nectivorous birds (mainly sunbirds), as well as various insects such as butterflies. The flowers' mainly orange to orange-red colour and tubular shape are indicative of its co-evolution with African sunbirds, which have curved bills suited to feeding from tubular flowers.

Cultivation
Leonotis leonurus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its copious orange blossom spikes, and is used as an accent or screen in gardens and parks. It is moderately drought tolerant, and a nectar source for birds and butterflies in landscape settings. It was introduced to Europe in the 1600s.
Lion's tail can be found in other subtropical and Mediterranean climate regions beyond South Africa, such as California, Hawaii, and Australia where it has naturalized in some areas. In cooler climates it is used as an annual and winter conservatory plant.

Pharmacology and toxicology
Marrubiin has both antioxidant and cardioprotective properties and has shown to significantly improve myocardial function.
Docosatetraenoylethanolamide (DEA) is a cannabinoid that acts on the cannabinoid (CB1) receptor which has been found in putative variety Leonotis leonurus var. albiflora whole flower extract.
Leonotis leonurus contains several labdane diterpene–based compounds such as Hispanolone, Leonurun, and Leoleorins. C-N
One experimental animal study suggests that the aqueous leaf extract of Leonotis leonurus possesses antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties.
An animal study in rats indicated that in high doses, lion's tail has significant toxicological adverse effects on organs, red blood cells, white blood cells, and other important bodily functions. Acute toxicity tests in animals caused death for those receiving a 3200 mg/kg dose. A 1600 mg/kg extract led to changes in red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, platelets, and white blood cells.

Traditional uses
Infusions made from flowers, seeds, leaves, or stems are widely used to treat tuberculosis, jaundice, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, diabetes, viral hepatitis, dysentery, and diarrhoea. The leaves, roots, and bark are used as an emetic for snakebites, and bee and scorpion stings. The fresh stem juice is used as an infusion drink for "blood impurity" in some parts of South Africa.

Legal status
Latvia
Leonotis leonurus has been illegal in Latvia since November 2009, and is classified as a Schedule 1 drug. Possession of quantities up to 1 gram are fined up to 280 euros. Possession and distribution of larger quantities can be punished with up to 15 years in prison.

Poland
Leonotis leonurus was banned in Poland in March 2009. Possession and distribution lead to criminal charges.

See also
Leonurine
Leonurus cardiaca
Leonurus japonicus
Leonotis nepetifolia
Leonurus sibiricus

References
External links

Missouri Botanical Garden - Kemper Garden Center: Leonotis leonurus
United States Department of Agriculture profile of Leonotis leonurus (lion's ear)

PlantZA Wikipedia Redlist iNaturalist

Species Characteristics

Wildlife supported

Bees

Birds

Butterflies

Sunbirds

Growth features

Easy to grow

Hedge

Social features

Attractive

Edible

Medicinal

Aspect

Sun

Plant types

Perennial

Shrub

Succession

Pioneer species

Soils

Soil: clay

Soil: loam

Soil: sandy

Flowering Period

Cream
Orange
White
Yellow

Feb Mar Apr May

Propagation

By Seed

Propagate from seed, cuttings or by dividing large clumps. The seed should be collected once the spikey seed heads have completely dried out, these can be manually taken apart or shaken to dislodge the many small stick-shaped seeds. The seeds should be sown in spring or early summer into a finely sifted seedling mix comprised of equal parts finely graded decomposed bark, compost, loam and fine sand. The mixture is prepared in seed trays to a fine tilth and pressed down evenly and firmly, watered and drained. Seed is then sown directly onto the damp surface of the medium and very lightly covered with the same mixture or with fine sand. Fungicidal treatment is not usually necessary for this species. Trays should be kept warm but not in direct sun and watered daily until the seedlings begin to emerge, at which point watering can be reduced to three or four times per week. The seed germinates usually within two to three weeks and seedlings can be planted out into individual containers once they are large enough to handle >20 mm (ca. four weeks). Young plants can be planted out into well composted and prepared perennial flower beddings once they are approx. 300-400 mm high. Cover the soil with a thick layer of organic mulch and water well during the active growing season. Seedlings given suitable conditions can flower in their first or second growing season.

By Cutting

Propagate from seed, cuttings or by dividing large clumps. This species is very easy to grow but will do best in rich well drained loamy soils with plenty of compost added. Plant in full sun and provide adequate water during the growing season, application of organic fertilizer can be applied at the beginning of the new season as well as a thick (100-150 mm) layer of organic mulch to stimulate vigorous growth. Wild dagga can tolerate moderate to severe frost, but extreme cold will force the plants into complete dormancy, cover the root zone with thick organic mulch in winter to protect the roots from freezing. Plants should be cut right back (approx. 100-200 mm high) at the end of winter, top-dressed with well-rotted manure or compost and given a deep watering to stimulate the new summer seasons growth.

Nursery availability

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