Lion's ear, Narrow-leaved leonotis
Leonotis leonurus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2-5 m tall. It forms branches from a thick woody base. They are densely hairy. The leaves are 5-10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They have teeth on the upper half. The leaves are green and rough on the upper surface and hairy underneath. The flowers are in groups or 3-11. The small nuts are 5-6 mm long by 1.6-1.9 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Georgia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The nectar is sucked from the flowers. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Flower - nectar, leaves, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Leonit'isi, Manbossie, Mununzu, Vleidagga, Wildedagga

Synonyms

Hemisodon leonurus (L.) Ref.; Leonurus africanus Mill.; Leonurus grandiflorus Moench; Leonurus superbus Medik.; Phlomis leonurus L.; Phlomis speciosa Salisb.;