Broad Leaved Minaret Flower – Leonotis ocymifolia

IMG_1749The Leonotis ocymifolia may also be known as the Lion’s Ear, Rock Lion’s Paw or Klipdagga as opposed the Wild dagga of the Leonotis leonurus or Narrow Leaved Minaret Flower. I have currently found only one plant flowering in the veld on our property; however there are many plants flowering along the road leading out of Nelspruit to our home.  The Leonotis genus forms part of the mint family – Lamiaceae.  This family is characterised by hairy leaves with entire, toothed or lobed margins and may be an annual herb or a perennial shrub.  The flowers appear in 2 – many whorls with reduced bracts and a 2-lipped calyx.  The upper lip is usually 3-toothed and the lower lip is 2-toothed.

IMG_1748The Broad Leaved Minaret Flower can be seen blooming between January and May and is an erect shrub of up to 2m tall. The velvety orange flowers are arranged in whorls and vary between 25 ‑ 45mm long with the lower lobes joined at the base.  The many flowered verticils (a whorl or circle, as of leaves or hairs, arranged around a point on an axis) appear at intervals of 35-105mm along the stem.  The calyx has a prominent upper tooth.

IMG_1753The leaves of this species is broadly ovate (whereas the leonurus is narrowly lancelot) with a crenate (having a round-toothed or scalloped edge) margin. The upper surface of the leaf may be smooth or hairy and lower surface has silvery hairs.  IMG_1751The stems are square when seen in a cross section and are hollow with deep furrows running longitudinally.  The stem originate from a woody base and have prominent nodes visible.

IMG_1754These plants are found on rocky slopes, grasslands and forest margins through southern and eastern South and tropical Africa.  It is widely used in traditional medicine for treating anything from fevers and headaches to dysentery and skin irritations.

 

 

 

 

 

A little whimsy: Fire Windstaff

LeonotisFairyHe brings gentle breezes to change the weather. He lives where fireflies mate and breed. He can only be seen when the seeker holds a four-leafed clover. He wears a jacket that glows with fiery colours and has silvery lilac butterfly wings.