Leonotis Nepetifolia - Klip Dagga
Leonotis nepetifolia, known as Klip Dagga or Lion's Ear (also called Christmas Candlestick), is an annual plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to tropical Africa and southern India. It has since naturalised across large parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The plant is closely related to Leonotis leonorus (Wild Dagga), but is annual rather than perennial and, according to research, contains more leonurine, one of the characteristic plant compounds found in the Leonotis genus.
Klip Dagga grows on square stems that turn woody at the base and can reach two to three metres tall under good conditions. Its most distinctive feature is the round, spiky flower clusters spaced at intervals along the stem, from which striking, curved orange flowers emerge, resembling a lion's mane, which explains the English name "Lion's Ear". The flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Sowing and growing
Sow the seeds on light, moist, well-draining soil; given enough warmth, they usually germinate within a few weeks. Klip Dagga likes a sunny spot and grows quickly, though tall plants can use some support in windy conditions so the stem doesn't snap. Being an annual, it typically flowers in late summer and autumn of the same season it was sown, after which it dies back; in a garden setting it self-seeds readily under favourable conditions.
Storage
Store unused seeds dry and dark at room temperature, preferably in the original packaging, to keep them viable for as long as possible. Other notable species in the exotic seeds range include Leonotis leonorus (Wild Dagga) and Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane), for anyone looking to expand their collection.
