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    Grocott's Mail
    You are at:Home»OUTSIDE»The other, wild, dagga
    OUTSIDE

    The other, wild, dagga

    Grocott's Mail ContributorsBy Grocott's Mail ContributorsJuly 21, 2018Updated:July 21, 2018No Comments5 Mins Read
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    Name: Leonotis leonurus (L.) Br.
    Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
    Common names:
    Engl. Cape Hemp, Lion’s Ear, Lion’s Tail, Minaret Flower, Red Dacha, Red Dagga, Wild Dagga, Wild Hemp
    Afr. Bulderdagga, Duiwelstabak. Duiwelstwak, Klipdagga, Koppiesdagga, Rivierdagga, Rooidagga Wildedagga
    Xho. Imvovo, Umfincafincane, Utywala Bengcungcu

    Earliest South Africa plants to be cultivated overseas in 1663 by Jacob Breynius.
    Description
    Robust shrub up to 2 m in height, with velvety woody stems at base. Flowers tubular, velvety bright orange,
    though one might find yellow, cream and even white flowers, 3-11 compact clusters, with the lower curled back;
    the calyx toothed, with teeth all +- similar. Leaves narrow, margins toothed in upper half, rough above, velvety
    beneath. All parts emit a strong smell.
    Conservation status
    According to the SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red list of South African Plants, Leonotis
    leonurus was not selected in any one of four screening processes for highlighting potential taxa of conservation
    concern for detailed assessment and was hence given an automated status of Least Concern (L.C.).
    http://redlist.sanbi.org
    Distribution and habitat
    This plant occurs in forest margins, rough grassland and roadside through southern and eastern South Africa
    Provincial distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape.
    Derivation of name and historical aspects
    The genus name Leonotis means “Lion’s ear” (Greek leon, lion; Otis, ear) and refers to the shape and furry
    covering of the tawny coloured flowers, the ends of which resemble minute lion’s ears. Leonurus, taken to be
    used as the specific name from another genus in Labiatae means “lion’s tail”, an unfortunate choice for this
    species, which, instead of one pompom cluster looking like the brush at the end of lion’s tail, has several such up
    its four-square stem! The name Wild dagga has been given to the plant owing to the similarity of its leaves to
    real dagga (Cannabis sativa).

    Ecology
    Their nectar attracts birds, bees and butterflies.
    Uses and cultural aspects
    Leaves or roots are old remedies for snake bite and other bites and stings. Externally, decoctions are applied to
    treat boils, eczema, skin diseases, itching and muscular cramps. Internally, decoctions are taken for coughs, colds and influenza, bronchitis, high blood pressure and headaches. Leaf infusions have been used for asthma and viral hepatitis.
    Early reports claim that the Nama people smoked the leaves, and used the powdered leaf to make cakes, which
    were chewed or eaten.
    Growing Leonotis leonurus
    Planting
    1. Dig holes or beds wide, not deep
    2. Light amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic matter
    3. Gently remove plants from containers, keeping the root ball intact
    4. Loosen potting soil and roots around bottom and edges of root ball
    5. Plant level surrounding soil, spreading roots outward
    6. Fill around roots with lightly amended native soil
    7. Water to settle soil around roots
    8. Cover the area with leaf or bark mulch 1-3 inches thick but not piled up onto the plant’s stem/truck
    9. Water deeply

    Pruning
    1. Tall or leggy plants may be cut or pinched back to stimulate strong new growth
    2. Cut or pinch stems of lowering or foliage plants just above laves or old leaf joints
    3. Thin excess growth so remaining growth will be more vigorous
    4. “Deadhead” – remove faded flowers or seedheads to stimulate new flowering growth
    5. Remove dead, faded, or diseased foliage as needed
    6. Remove some foliage during transplanting to reduce stress on new roots
    7. Clean up plants at the end of the season to reduce pest or disease buildup and keep the area neat
    8. Avoid putting diseased plant parts in the compost, or risk spreading diseases later

    Propagation
    From seed
    1. Collect seed from mature plants early in the season to avoid seed-borne disease
    2. Place seed in labeled envelopes or containers (include the year that seed were collected)
    3. Store in a cool, dry place indoors
    4. Refrigerate seed if long-term storage is desired

    From Cuttings
    1. Take leafy cuttings from new growth, a few inches long
    2. Strip or prune off bottoms leaves, leaving three or four at the top
    3. Insert into moist potting soil
    4. Place in bright but indirect light
    5. Cover with a plastic “tent” or cut-of soda bottle to retain humidity
    6. Keep moist, not wet
    Read further about watering and fertilizing the Wild dagga http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/leonotis-
    leonurus-care-and-maintenance/

    References and further reading
    Batten, A. & Bokelmann. H. 2011. Wild Flowers of the Eastern Cape Province. 1966. Books of Africa, 1005 Cape of
    Goodhope Savings Bank Building, St. George’s Street, Cape Town.

    Jacot Guillarmod, A. 1981. Mistaken Identity and False Charges: Leonotis leonurus. The Naturalist 25 (1) 1981.

    Pooley, E. 2005. A Field Guide to Wild Flowers, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. The Flora Publications
    Trust, c/o Natal Herbarium, Botanical Gardens Road, Durban 4001.

    Van Wyk, B.E., van Oudtshoorn, B., Gericke, N. Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.

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