Lion's head, Bald head, Giant lion's ear
Leonotis nepetifolia

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It is coarse and grows to 1-2 m high. It spreads 20-30 cm wide. It has 4 sided grooved stems. The lower leaves are oval and toothed. The upper leaves are opposite and sword shaped. They have teeth along the edge and are elongated to a narrow base. The flowers are red-orange tubes. They are in the axils of leaves. They form a round head of stiff spiny sepals.

There are about 9- (15) 30-40 Leonotis species. It is used in medicine. The dried leaves are smoked.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in waste places. It can grow with moderate moisture or in fairly dry locations. It needs a well-drained soil. It is best in full sun but can tolerate shade. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. It grows in sandy soils. It can grow between sea level and 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. It is rare in Swaziland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesser Antilles, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North America, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Lucia, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten. They are cooked with green leafy vegetables. The nectar is also sucked from the flowers.

The flower nectar is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Vegetable, flowers, nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. If the tips of plants are picked off, branching will increase.

Flowers occur soon after the first rains.

Its other names

Local names

Acukia, Agia janum, Ajon icika, Bokolu, Cauda-de-leao, Chanua caa, Chat-phra-in, Chukuchuku, Chumudhumu, Corindiba, Dare dhompo, Dipmal, Ecika, Gonsiwon, Gros pompon, Halanjanahary, Hejurchei, Ibetshulebadala, Igicumucumu, Ihambambeba, Janum dhompo, Kambanje, Kitaterante, Leonotis, Linyominyomi, Lisanzauki, Lokwaa, Matijer, Matisul, Mfyomfyo, Molinillo, Momba, Mudyatsonzo, Mudzutsu, Mukadzimainza, Nyamtigo, Nyamuchena, Nyongongu, Odhudo, Olbibi, Otwilo, Ranabheri, Rubim, Semonamone, Tolanga, Totanga, Toro rati, Tota, Umhlahlampethu, Utshwala-benyoni, Zungzu

Synonyms

Phlomis nepetifolia L.; Leonurus globosus Moench.; Leonurus nepetifolius (L.) Mill.; Leonotis kwebensis N. E. Br.;