Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Leonotis leonurus (L.) R. Br.

Synonyms

Phlomis leonurus L.

Family

Labiatae (South Australia)
Lamiaceae (Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory)

Common Names

Cape hemp, lion's ear, lion's tail, minaret flower, red dagga, wild dagga, wild hemp

Origin

Native to southern Africa (i.e. Natal, Transvaal and Cape Province in South Africa).

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised is some parts of southern and eastern Australia (i.e in the coastal districts of central and southern New South Wales, in Tasmania, and in the coastal districts of south-western Western Australia). It has also become naturalised in the coastal districts of central Queensland and is possibly naturalised in the coastal districts of northern New South Wales.

Also naturalised overseas in Hawaii and south-western USA (i.e. California).

Notes

Lion's ear (Leonotis leonurus) is regarded as an environmental weed in New South Wales and Western Australia, and as a potential environmental weed in Tasmania. This garden escape is mainly a problem in the coastal areas of New South Wales, from Sydney south to Eden. It is often seen near habitation, and probably becomes established in these areas as a result of the dumping of garden waste. It is most commonly found in coastal sand dunes, where dense infestations may displace native species.

In the Sydney region, lion's ear (Leonotis leonurus) has invaded coastal heath and woodlands, and is listed as an environmental weed in Randwick City. On the New South Wales South Coast a population is well established and spreading by seed in dune vegetation at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River. Lion's ear (Leonotis leonurus) has also been reported from the New South Wales North Coast and is on the "NSW North Coast environmental weed list". In south-western Western Australia, this species is found on sandy soils between Perth and Augusta.