Wild Dagga

Wild Dagga

Common Name: Wild Dagga

Other Common Names: Klip Dagga, Christmas Candlestick, Lion’s Ear ¹

Latin Name: Leonotis nepetifolia

Native to: tropical Africa, southern India, Latin America, West Indies, South America ¹

Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Primary Use in Herbal Blends: “Calming and sedating sensations are felt when the flowers are consumed as a tea, while euphoric reactions occur when the flowers are smoked.” ²

Benefits: “South African tribes have traditionally smoked wild dagga flowers and leaves for its euphoric effect.  Wild dagga smokers report mood enhancement, slight giddiness, increased colour perception and mental clarity.” ²

Physical Characteristics

Type: Evergreen Shrub ²

Height: Grows 3 to 6 feet tall. ¹

Leaves: Long medium-dark green leaves between 2-4 inches that are aromatic when crushed. ¹

Flowers: Tubular orange flowers in tiered clusters.  The flowers’ tubular shape helps sunbirds and butterflies pollinate them. ¹

Fruit: Very small, long, brown seeds.

References

¹ Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonotis_nepetifolia
² Smokable Herbs, https://www.smokableherbs.com/wild-dagga-flower/