Klip Dagga - Wild Klip Dagga (Leonotis Nepetifolia) Grantiparani Lions Tail Christmas Candlestick Lions Ear

Annual

Height 3 M

Leonotis leonurus, also known as lion's tail and wild dagga, is a plant species in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The plant is a broadleaf evergreen large shrub native to South Africa and southern Africa, where it is very common. It is known for its medicinal properties. Dagga, also known as Lion's Ear, Shandilay (Trinidad), Christmas Candlestick (America) and Grantiparani (India), is originally from Africa and southern India.

Plants are erect, loosely branched broadleaf evergreen annual shrubs native to South Africa and southern Africa, where it is very common. Strongly angled stems (square in the cross section) and the leaves are smooth, triangular in shape and in pairs opposite each other. The tubular flowers are borne in rounded, spiny clusters that encircle the stems so that it looks like the stems are growing right through the middle of the clusters. The petals are orange and furry, hence the name Lion's Ear, and are about 2.5 cm long and curve downward. As the stems elongate, new flower clusters continue to develop above the older ones.

Klip Daggas is known for its medicinal properties, and has become naturalized in subtropical and tropical areas all over the world and is often found along roadsides and in abandoned fields.

Klip Dagga has long been used in African traditional medicine as a treatment for fevers, headaches, malaria, dysentery and snakebite. It has an effect on the uterus - depending on the dose it will stimulate- or suppress menstruation. In Trinidad, it is used as a common cold, fever and asthma remedy. The flowers are the most potent part and can be smoked or used as a calming tea. Studies suggest that teas or tinctures made with the leaf possesses anti-nociceptive properties (it inhibits the sensation of pain), is anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic and therefore lend pharmacological credence to the folkloric uses of this herb in the management and/or control of painful, arthritic, and other inflammatory conditions, as well as for adult-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Always consult a professional before using

Both Klip Dagga Leonotis nepetifolia and Wild Dagga Leonotis leonurus are excellent heart tonics -  used for heart conditions associated with anxiety and tension; will calm palpitations, tachycardia and irregular heartbeats. The dried foliage of Leonotis - both Wild Dagga and Klip Dagga - can be used as a legal substitute for marijuana (ganja, cannabis, hemp). Smoking this dried herb gives a euphoric-like effect and exuberance. .

• Full Sun or light shade
• Sow indoors onto a moist well-drained seed compost. Cover lightly with soil. Transplant once large enough to handle to 8cm pots. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed
• Ideal temp. 15 to 18°C.
• Germination 7 to14 days - can be erratic.
• Spacing: 40cm 
• Klip Dagga is drought tolerant once established 
• Parts Used: The leaves and flower petals.
• Seed Count: 5