Lion's Ear
Klip Dagga

Leonotis nepetifolia

Photographed near Eldoret, Kenya. December 2012. Identified with the help of Bart Wursten and Flora of Mozambique. The ant appears to be a species of Camponotus.

This mint species is frequent component of roadsides and fallow fields in the higher elevation (1600+ m.) in the Rift Valley near Eldoret. This species has bright orange tubular flowers borne in dense balls together with spiny-bracted fruits. Two or three of these compact inflorescences on each tall stem about 1-½ m tall. The flowers are attractive to sunbirds such as the Variable Sunbird and the seeds are fed upon by stink bugs.

Leaf margins of Leonotis are blunt-toothed.


Sunbirds take the nectar and stinkbugs feed on ripening seeds.

Lamiaceae -- Mint Family

More Information:

• Book: Upland Kenya Wild Flowers and Ferns by A. D. Q. Agnew, 3rd Revised Edition, 2013, Nature Kenya - The East Africa Natural History Society
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