leonotis leonurus

The shrub grows {{cvt|3|to|6|ft|m|0}} tall by {{convert|1.5|to|3.5|ft|m|}} wide. The medium-dark green {{convert|2|-|4|in|cm}} long leaves are aromatic when crushed. The plant has 1.75 inch (4.5 cm) tubular orange flowers in tiered whorls (verticillasters) typical to the mint family,{{ cite book |last=Bailey |first=Liberty Hyde |date=1935 |title=The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture - Volume II |location=New York |publisher=The MacMillan Co. |page=1839}} that encircle the square stems. They rise up to three feet (0.9 meters) above the foliage mass during the summer season, with flowering continuing into winter in warmer climates.{{cite web |url=http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LELE3 |title=PLANTS Profile for Leonotis leonurus (lion's ear) |author= |date= |website= |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service |access-date=28 March 2010}}

A white variety (known colloquially as 'Alba') and a yellow variety also exist.

The native habitat of Leonotis leonurus is damp grasslands of southern Africa.{{cite book |author=Umberto Quattrocchi |title=CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-37OBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA2244 |date=19 April 2016 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4822-5064-0 |pages=2244–}} It attracts nectivorous birds (mainly sunbirds), as well as various insects such as butterflies. The flowers' mainly orange to orange-red colour and tubular shape are indicative of its co-evolution with African sunbirds, which have curved bills suited to feeding from tubular flowers.

Leonotis leonurus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its copious orange blossom spikes, and is used as an accent or screen in gardens and parks. It is moderately drought tolerant, and a nectar source for birds and butterflies in landscape settings. It was introduced to Europe in the 1600s.{{cite book |author1=Ernst Schmidt |author2=Mervyn Lotter |author3=Warren McCleland |title=Trees and Shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RpVJJH3kV0oC&pg=PA586 |year=2002 |publisher=Jacana Media |isbn=978-1-919777-30-6 |pages=586–}}

Lion's tail can be found in other subtropical and Mediterranean climate regions beyond South Africa, such as California, Hawaii, and Australia where it has naturalized in some areas. In cooler climates it is used as an annual and winter conservatory plant.

Marrubiin has both antioxidant and cardioprotective properties and has shown to significantly improve myocardial function.Popoola KO Elbagory AM, Ameer F, Hussein AA. Marrubiin. Molecules 2013; 18(18):9049-9060.XinHua, 2010

Docosatetraenoylethanolamide (DEA) is a cannabinoid that acts on the cannabinoid (CB₁) receptor which has been found in putative variety Leonotis leonurus var. albiflora whole flower extract.{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346796873 |title=Toward the identification of a phytocannabinoid-like compound in the flowers of a South African medicinal plant (Leonotis leonurus) |date=December 2020 |journal=BMC Research Notes |volume=13 |issue=1 |doi=10.1186/s13104-020-05372-z |author1=Ethan Hunter |author2=Marietjie Aletta Stander |author3=Jens Kossmann |author4=S. Chakraborty |page=522 |pmid=33172494 |pmc=7653773 |access-date=17 May 2022 |doi-access=free}}

Leonotis leonurus contains several labdane diterpene–based compounds such as Hispanolone, Leonurun, and Leoleorins. C-N

One experimental animal study suggests that the aqueous leaf extract of Leonotis leonurus possesses antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties.{{cite journal |author=Ojewole JA |title=Antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and antidiabetic effects of Leonotis leonurus (L.) R. BR. [Lamiaceae] leaf aqueous extract in mice and rats |journal=Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=257–64 |date=May 2005 |pmid=16082426 |doi=10.1358/mf.2005.27.4.893583}}

An animal study in rats indicated that in high doses, lion's tail has significant toxicological adverse effects on organs, red blood cells, white blood cells, and other important bodily functions. Acute toxicity tests in animals caused death for those receiving a 3200 mg/kg dose. A 1600 mg/kg extract led to changes in red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, platelets, and white blood cells.{{cite journal |pmid=19244291 |year=2008 |last1=Maphosa |first1=V |last2=Masika |first2=P |last3=Adedapo |first3=A |title=Safety evaluation of the aqueous extract of Leonotis leonurus shoots in rats |volume=27 |issue=11 |pages=837–43 |doi=10.1177/0960327108099533 |journal=Human & Experimental Toxicology |bibcode=2008HETox..27..837M |s2cid=27776434}}

Infusions made from flowers, seeds, leaves, or stems are widely used to treat tuberculosis, jaundice, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, diabetes, viral hepatitis, dysentery, and diarrhoea.Van WJB, van OB, Gericke N. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications. Cape Town, 2000.Noumi E, Houngue F, Lontsi D. Traditional medicines in primary health care: plants used for the treatment of hypertension in Bafia, Cameroon. Fitoterapia 1999; 70(2):134-139. The leaves, roots, and bark are used as an emetic for snakebites, and bee and scorpion stings.Hutchings AH, Scott G, Lewis AB. Cunningham, Zulu medicinal plants, an Inventory. Natal University Press, Pietermaritzburg, 1996, 266-267. The fresh stem juice is used as an infusion drink for "blood impurity" in some parts of South Africa.Watt JM, Breyer BMG. Medicinal and poisonous plants of Southern Africa. E & S Livingstone. Edinburg, 1962.

Leonotis leonurus has been illegal in Latvia since November 2009, and is classified as a Schedule 1 drug. Possession of quantities up to 1 gram are fined up to 280 euros. Possession and distribution of larger quantities can be punished with up to 15 years in prison.{{cite web |url=http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?mode=DOC&id=50539 |title=Par Krimināllikuma spēkā stāšanās un piemērošanas kārtību |publisher=likumi.lv |date= |access-date=2013-06-23 |language=Latvian}}

Leonotis leonurus was banned in Poland in March 2009. Possession and distribution lead to criminal charges.{{in lang|pl}} [http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WDU20090630520 Dz.U. 2009 nr 63 poz. 520], Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych.

• Leonurine
• Leonurus cardiaca
• Leonurus japonicus
• Leonotis nepetifolia
• Leonurus sibiricus

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Leonotis leonurus}}

{{Wikispecies|Leonotis leonurus}}

• [http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=A525 Missouri Botanical Garden - Kemper Garden Center: Leonotis leonurus]
• [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LELE3 United States Department of Agriculture profile of Leonotis leonurus (lion's ear)]

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Category:Butterfly food plants

Category:Drought-tolerant plants

Category:Endemic flora of South Africa

Category:Entheogens

Category:Garden plants of Southern Africa

Category:Lamiaceae

Category:Medicinal plants

Category:Plants used in traditional African medicine