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The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

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Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br.
Lion's Ear

Reference
Hort.Kew. [W. Aiton] edn 2, 3:410 (1811)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Shrub, to 3 m high. Fl. orange, Jan or Mar to Apr or Nov. Sandy soils. Wastelands.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 15 August 2007

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain.
IBRA Subregions
Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Capel, Melville, Nedlands, Stirling, Wanneroo.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. lion's ear, Cape hemp, minaret flower, red dacha, red dagga, wild dagga, wild hemp.

General Biology. Growth form. Shrub. Reproduction. Seed. Vegetative regeneration strategy. Can produces root suckers.

Notes. Can produce large amounts of seed.

Additional information. Origin. South Africa. History of use/introduction. Garden escape.

Suggested method of management and control. Handpull seedlings or small plants, ensuring you remove the tap root. Try cut and paint with 50% glyphosate for larger plants. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Flowering O Y Y Y O         O Y O  
Optimum Treatment O O O O O O O O O O O O  

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Navie, S. & Adkins, S. (2008) Environmental Weeds of Australia, An interactive identification and information resource for over 1000 invasive plants. Centre for Biological Information Technology, The University of Queensland.