Leonotis nepetifolia

Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br.

Common Names: Lion’s Ear, Hollow Stalk, Hollow Stock

Family: Lamiaceae

Habit: Leonotis nepetifolia grows as an herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial up to 2 m (usually lower) in height.  All vegetation is pubescent. The stems distinctly square shaped.  The leaves are arranged oppositely to 12 cm in length, ovate/triangular/deltoid, with a crenate leaf margin, an acute leaf apex and a winged petiole.  The abaxial leaf surface is pubescent and has glandular dots.

The complete, perfect, zygomorphic flowers are arranged in many flowered globular cymes at the nodes. The calyx has 5 fused, unequal, green sepals with 10 lobes that are spine tipped. The corolla has 5 fused orange/yellow pubescent petals with 3 lobes below and 2 lobes above. The corolla throat pubescent. There are 4 stamens fused to the corolla.  The ovary is superior with 4 locules each with a single seed. The fruit is an aggregate of black nutlets.

Habitat: Leonotis nepetifolia grows in Human Altered environments (yards, roadsides, abandoned fields, waste areas).

Distribution: Leonotis nepetifolia is NOT native to the Lucayan Archipelago. It is native to South Africa.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Leonotis nepetifolia is not known to be used medicinally in the Bahamas.