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Showing posts with label ORANGE LIONEARS (Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia). Show all posts
Showing posts with label ORANGE LIONEARS (Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia). Show all posts

Sunday, 4 November 2018

18-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - ORANGE LIONEARS (Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia)


Leonotis nepetifolia, (also known as klip dagga, Christmas candlestick, or lion's ear, is a species of plant in the genus Leonotis and the family Lamiaceae (mint), It is native to tropical Africa. It can also be found growing abundantly in much of Latin America, Southeast Asia, the West Indies, and the Southeastern United States. It grows to a height of 3 metres (9 ft 10 in) and has whorls of striking lipped flowers, that are most commonly orange, 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. Sunbirds and ants are attracted to the flowers. It has been found growing on roadsides, rubbish heaps or waste land.

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.