Leonotis nepetifolia
Leonotis nepetifolia, (also known as klip dagga, Christmas candlestick, or lion's ear), is a species of plant in the genus "Leonotis" and the family Lamiaceae (mint). It is native to tropical Africa and southern India. It can also be found growing abundantly in much of Latin America, the West Indies, and the Southeastern United States. It grows to a height of and has whorls of striking lipped flowers, that are most commonly orange, but can vary to red, white, and purple. It has drooping dark green, very soft serrated leaves that can grow up to wide. Sunbirds  and ants are attracted to the flowers. It has been found growing on road sides, rubbish heaps or waste land. "L. nepetifolia" is considered an invasive plant in Australia, Florida, and Hawaii, though its tendency to grow in disturbed areas led researchers in Hawaii to conclude it's not likely to be an ecological threat. Related species. "Leonotis nepetifolia" ("klip dagga") is related to "L. leonurus" ("wild dagga" or "lion's tail".) The most noticeable difference between the two is the leaf shape. "L. nepetifolia" leaves are cordate with serrated edges, except the top pair which are lanceolate with serrated  edges, as pictured in taxonomy box. The leaves are all lanceolate with serrated edges on "L. leonurus". Traditional medicine. "Leonotis nepetifolia" is known in Trinidad as "shandilay" and the leaves are brewed as a tea for fever, coughs, womb prolapse and malaria. The dried leaves are sometimes used as a legal substitute for marijuana. The roots of "L. nepetifolia" are considered to be the botanical sources of "granthiparna", an ayurvedic herb. Phytochemicals and Pharmacology. Leonotis nepetifolia contains several labdane diterpenes including Nepetaefolin, Nepetaefuran, Nepetaefolin, Nepetaefolin, Leonotinin, Leonotin and Dubiin as well as bis-spirolabdane diterpenes like Leonepetaefolin A-E Methanol  based extracts of Leonotis nepetifolia has shown antidepressant-like effects in mice. Metabolic screening of the extract suggested nepetaefolin, methoxynepataefolin, and 7-O-β-glucoside luteolin are the main products. Nepetaefuran and leonotinin isolated from Leonotis nepetaefolia plant material demonstrated anti-inflammatory by suppressing NF-κB activation related to proinflammatory Cytokines.