LEONOTIS. R. Br. (Labiatæ.) XIV.—1. DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA. LIN. SYST.
75. Leonotis Leonurus. R. Br. Stem shrubby, 5 feet high. Branches tomentose. Leaves oblongo-lanceolate, whorled, obtuse, serrate from the middle to the apex, narrowed at base, slightly shaggy beneath. Flowers in crowded axillary whorls. Calyx dentate, pubescent. Bracts linear-lanceolate, acute, shorter than the calyx. Corolla tube-shaped, curved, densely hairy, bright orange, or rarely buff.
This plant, the Wild Dagga, is, on account of its beautiful flowers, a fine garden ornament. It grows wild in the sandy Cape Flats, and often at the roadside. It has a peculiar scent and a nauseous taste, and seems to produce narcotic effects if incautiously used. It is employed in the form of decoction in chronic cutaneous eruptions, and may be tried even in cases of leprosy. The usual dose is a wineglass-full three or four times a-day. The […] are particularly fond of this plant, and smoke it instead of tobacco, and take a decoction of its leaves as a strong purgative; they likewise give it as an emmenagogue in amenorrhœa. In the Eastern districts, the Leonotis ovata is used for the same purpose.
A colonial slur for the Khoikhoi is cut and marked […]. The footnote at the foot of the page belongs to the previous plant and is not transcribed.