top of page

textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard

Rock Lion’s Paw

Leonotis ocymifolia

SA tree number

English: Rock Lion’s Paw, Minaret Flower

Afrikaans: Klipdagga, Wilde Dagga

Synonyms: Leonotis capensis, Leonotis latifolia, Leonotis leonitis, Leonotis mollis, Leonotis ocymifolia var. raineriana, Leonotis ovata, Leonotis parvifolia, Leonotus minor, Phlomis leonitis, Phlomis ocymifolia

Leonotis ocymifolia, known as rock lion’s paw or minaret flower, is a hairy shrub native to eastern Africa and widespread in South African rocky slopes and forest edges. It features velvety orange tubular flowers arranged in round clusters along square, rough stems.

loading.gif

Have you got a better picture?

If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)

loading.gif

Distinguishing features:

  • Shrub with thick woody base, growing 1–2 m tall

  • Square, hollow, deeply furrowed stems with widely spaced internodes

  • Opposite, petiolate, broadly ovate leaves (9–45 mm × 6–30 mm), upper surface smooth to finely hairy, underside silvery

  • Orange, velvety tubular corollas (26–55 mm long) in spherical whorls arranged 35–105 mm apart

  • Flowers spiral-develop from top, seed develops and ripens on top first; seed heads turn brown and disperse on shaking


Overall appearance:
Roughly hairy perennial shrub with thick woody base, erect branching stems, and ball-shaped orange flower clusters.


Height:
1–2 m


Leaves:

  • Petiolate, broadly ovate

  • 9–45 mm long, 6–30 mm wide

  • Crenate margins

  • Upper surface smooth to pubescent, lower surface silvery


Flowers:

  • Orange, velvety tubular corolla

  • 26–55 mm long

  • Arranged in crowded spherical verticils, spaced 35–105 mm apart along stems


Flowering season:
September to March (spring to early autumn) in South Africa


Stems:

  • Square in cross-section, hollow, deeply furrowed

  • Internodes 30–50 mm long

  • Prominent nodes

  • Roughly hairy

Roots:
Taproot with woody base


Soil type:
Prefers well-drained soils on rocky slopes


Aspect:
Thrives in full sun on forest margins and rocky hillsides

Uses:

  • Aqueous infusions or decoctions made from leaves and stems, used to treat diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, skin irritations, eczema; used as laxative and to stimulate menstruation


Ecology:

  • Pollinated by bees and sunbirds including Double-collared, Amethyst and Malachite Sunbirds

  • Flowers produce pollen presented on bird foreheads aiding cross-pollination

  • Seed disperses by wind when shook; seeds held in dry sepals


Distribution and habitat:

  • Provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape

  • Occurs on rocky slopes and forest margins, in both winter- and summer-rainfall zones


Derivation of name:

  • Genus: from Greek leon (lion) + otis (ear), referring to the corolla’s shape

  • Species: ocymifolia means ‘leaves like basil’ (Ocimum genus)


Historical aspects:

  • Only variety ocymifolia is considered here; several varieties exist but not treated


Interesting facts:

  • The flower whorls look like little minarets—hence “minaret flower”!

  • Leaves smell pleasant and fresh when crushed—sharing basil-like scent with its species name ‘ocymifolia’.

  • Pollen lands on sunbird foreheads, making them unwitting pollinating superheroes!


Growing tips:

  • Grow in well-drained, rocky soil in full sun.

  • Easily propagated from seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.

  • Flower spikes appear in spring; remove old flower heads to encourage new blooms.

  • Hardy and drought-tolerant once established.


Which is which?

There are three species of WIld Dagga found in the Eastern Cape. Here is a quick guide to distinguishing between them:

1) Leaf Shape:

  • Leonotis ocymifolia: Broad, ovate, toothed, velvety.

  • Leonotis leonurus: Narrow, lanceolate, slightly serrated, leathery.

  • Leonotis nepetifolia: Broad, heart-shaped (cordate), serrated (except top pair).


2) Growth Habit:

  • Leonotis ocymifolia: Perennial shrub, up to 2 m, compact varieties.

  • Leonotis leonurus: Perennial, bushy, 1–2 m tall, 0.5–1 m wide.

  • Leonotis nepetifolia: Annual, loosely branched, up to 3 m.


3) Flowers:

  • Leonotis ocymifolia: Orange, 25–45 mm, dense whorls, Jan–May.

  • Leonotis leonurus: Orange (or white/apricot), 30–55 mm, large clusters, Nov–Jan or Apr–Jun.

  • Leonotis nepetifolia: Orange (or red/white/purple), 20 mm, smaller spiny clusters.


4) Habitat:

  • Leonotis ocymifolia: Eastern Africa, grasslands, rocky slopes.

  • Leonotis leonurus: Southern Africa, damp grasslands, widely cultivated.

  • Leonotis nepetifolia: Tropical Africa/India, disturbed areas, invasive in tropics.

This plant is a fantastic alternative for:

loading.gif

Large Thorn Apple

Datura ferox

loading.gif

Downy Thorn Apple

Datura innoxia

loading.gif

Jimson Weed

Datura stramonium

Plant type:

Shrublet, herbaceous or perennial

Plant family:

Lamiaceae (Latin name: open mouth (the flowers)) - Order: Lamiales

bottom of page