The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Wild Dagga
Afrikaans name: Wildedagga
Wild Dagga
Photo © Steven Herbert
Leonotis leonurus
Another name for Wild Dagga is the Lion's Tail, presumably because of the orange colouration (even though lions aren't orange).
It is a scraggly looking shrub that bears lots of orange flowers.
The flowers attract a variety of sunbirds and butterflies which feed on the nectar. It is also popular with gardeners (for their looks and not the nectar).
The plant is interesting in that it has toxic qualities yet it is used in both traditional medicines as well as being smoked by some people (you were wondering where the name Wild Dagga came from...)
Above - Wild Dagga
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 117The Gardener - 2021/03 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 66
The Gardener - 2018/03 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 66
Sasol First Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Southern Africa - Author: John Manning - Published: 1999 - Page: 52
Gardening with Indigenous Shrubs - Author: David and Sally Johnson, Geoff Nichols - Published: 2002 - Page: 67
Indigenous Beginnings - Author: Anneke Kearney - Published: 2008 - Page: 56
Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa - Author: Glenice Ebedes - Published: 2017 - Page: 93
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 393
Gardening with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1988 - Page: 40
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 324
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 173
Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa - Author: John Manning - Published: 2009 - Page: 424
Ecoguide - Fynbos - Author: Colin Paterson-Jones and John Manning - Published: 2007 - Page: 116
Discovering Wild Flowers in Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Sima Eliovson - Published: 1969 - Page: 76
Adventure Trails in Kirstenbosch - Author: Daphne Mackie - Published: 2012 - Page: 72
A Photographic Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa - Author: Braam van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 65
A Field Guide to Wild Flowers in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 2005 - Page: 70