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TWO MINARET FLOWERS

While I have never actually heard of Leonotis leonurus being referred to as the Narrow-leaved Minaret Flower – that’s what it is in the field guide. Rather, it is widely known as either Wild Dagga or Lion’s Ear / Tail.

These flowers, which are common around here, grow along forest margins, roadsides and in grassland throughout the southern and eastern parts of South Africa.

Geographically even more widespread than this is Leonotis ocymifolia, or Broad-leaved Minaret Flower, which also grows in grassland, on rocky slopes and forest margins. I am not aware of having seen it here and will keep a good look out for it during the next flowering season.

The common names point to the shape of the leaves being a main difference between these flowers which might otherwise look superficially similar. Not having seen these plants growing together, I cannot attest to the fact that the flowers are larger than those of the Leonotis leonurus. These are the leaves of the Broad-leaved Minaret Flower.

Whereas the narrow, lance-shaped leaves of the Narrow-leaved Minaret Flower can be seen in this photograph.

25 thoughts on “TWO MINARET FLOWERS”

  7. That’s pretty fancy! It looks like a cross between two plants I’ve had in my garden, Anigozanthos flavidus and Phlomis fruticosa — though it appears to be unrelated to either! I love the orange color. I’ve been reading about it just now and think that it might do well in my garden!!

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