| Leonotis nepetifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Leonotis |
| Species: | L. nepetifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Leonotis nepetifolia | |
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 roadsides, 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 (light orange flowers)
- Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia - much of Africa (dark solid orange flowers)
- Leonotis nepetifolia var. alba - (albino/white flowers)
- ^ a b c d e 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.