Leonotis menthifolia

Very unusual funny flower! The plant grows through it! (see pictures). After bloom, the new growth just keeps growing up through the flower. Shrubby, semi-woody, perennial or semi-evergreen subshrub to 2m high with a 1m spread. Tolerates poor soil. Wild Dagga is smoked or made into a medicinal tea by the Hottentot tribe of South Africa. Because of its euphoric effects, it is often referred to as a Cannabis substitute. Used in Eastern medicine as euphoria, purgative, and vermifuge. Spiny whorls of soft apricot-orange fuzzy flowers are held atop tall erect stems that remind of a crows nest on the mast of a ship. A super magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, the hummingbirds will sip for as long as ten seconds or more from one flower. Fun in cut flower arrangements too. See Special Effects of Leonotis

Similar plants:

• Leonotis leonurus (Lions Ears, Lions Tail, Wild Dagga)
• Leonotis nepetifolia (Urus mane, Naivasha Apricot)