Leonotis leonurus (Lion's Ear)

Leonotis leonurus (Lion's Ear) produces distinctive whorls of tubular orange flowers arranged in tiers along upright stems, which resemble a lion's ear and give the plant its common name. The bright orange blooms are highly attractive to pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.

Lion's Ear is a South African shrub that tolerates mild frost but can be damaged by sustained freezing temperatures. In colder climates, it is sometimes grown as an annual or in containers that can be moved indoors during winter.

Leonotis leonurus has a long history of use in southern African traditional herbal medicine, where it has been used to treat conditions such as fever, coughs, and snake bites. It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), and its leaves are commonly prepared as infusions.

Like many plants in the mint family, Leonotis leonurus has aromatic foliage that tends to be unpalatable to deer. This makes it a useful choice in gardens where deer browsing is a recurring problem.