LEONOTIS LEONURUS

Common names: Wild Dagga, Lion’s Ear (Eng.); Wildedagga, Duiwelstabak (Afr.)

YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE THIS IN YOUR GARDEN

Leonotis leonurus flowers for months and attracts nectar-feeding sunbirds. Not only is it a striking garden plant, it also provides welcome nectar during the hot January and February months, when fewer plants may be flowering abundantly.

Wild Dagga is fast-growing and can reach 2–3 m tall and about 1.5 m wide. The stems are brittle and sometimes break in the strong Rooiels winds.

The leaves have a herby scent and the flowers are usually brilliant orange-red, although apricot, yellow and white forms also occur.

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT

Wild Dagga is widespread in South Africa. We have found it in the Rooiels Reserve, on Klein-Hangklip and at the overflow from our Buffelstal Dam. It is also a favourite garden plant from Rooiels through to Kleinmond.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Leonotis comes from the Greek leon, meaning lion, and otis, meaning ear — a reference to the flower resembling a lion’s ear.

ECOLOGY

Leonotis leonurus is primarily bird-pollinated, although many insects also visit the flowers for nectar and pollen.

When the seeds mature, our obliging Rooiels wind shakes them loose and scatters them. Attracted by oil glands on the seeds, equally obliging ants carry them underground.

USES

Wild Dagga has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a remarkably wide range of ailments, although traditional use should not be confused with proven medical treatment.

It has also been used traditionally as a charm to keep snakes away — so perhaps we should have even more Wild Dagga in our garden!

The dried leaves and flowers have historically been smoked, hence the Afrikaans name wildedagga. Despite the name, the plant is not related to cannabis.

The dried leaves have also traditionally been brewed as a tea.

Conservation status: Least Concern.

Click to find out more on iNaturalist