Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R.Br.

Annual or short-lived perennial slender herb, 1-3 m tall, with easily uprooted c. 100 mm long taproot; stem branched at upper nodes only, green, shortly pubescent, deeply 4-furrowed apically; upper nodes with a tuft of 1-4 mm long hairs; internodes 20-150 mm long, in the inflorescence 70-280 mm. Leaves petiolate; blade broadly ovate, 50-200 x 40-150 mm, apex acuminate, base cuneate-attenuate to cordate-attenuate, margin deeply crenate with 25-51 teeth/leaf, green, pubescent and with colourless glands; petiole 30-80 mm long. Inflorescence of 2-5 spherical to cylindrical verticils 38-65 mm in diameter, with 20-28 verticil branches 2-16 mm long; pedicels 0.5-2 mm long; bracts 25-90 x 4-13 mm, linear; petiole 12-60 mm long; bracteoles stout, linear, 7-15 x 0.5-1.5 mm, acuminate. Calyx 17-25 mm long, 4-5.6 mm in diameter, bilabiate, bent forwards, shortly pubescent, basal half stiff, yellowish white, distal half flexible, green; calyx teeth straight, stiff, apiculate, the dorsal one 4-7 mm long, the others 1-3 mm long. Corolla 19-38 mm long, tube 9-20 mm long with three distinct rings of hairs inside the tube. Fresh pollen pale yellow. Nutlets 2.9-4.3 x 1.1-1.9 mm, surface not glossy, marmorated in grey and brown.

It is a tropical plant. It grows in waste places. It can grow with moderate moisture or in fairly dry locations. It needs a well-drained soil. It is best in full sun but can tolerate shade. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. It grows in sandy soils. It can grow between sea level and 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. It is rare in Swaziland.

The flowers are eaten. They are cooked with green leafy vegetables. The nectar is also sucked from the flowers.

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. If the tips of plants are picked off, branching will increase.