Adonis Abbot

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Adonis Abbot
• Lion's Tail
• Lions Tail
• Lions Ears
• Wild Dagga
• devil's pincushion
• lion's ear
• lion's ears
• mint lion's ear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leonurus nepetifolius
• Phlomis nepetifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is further classified under the genus Leonotis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Morocco. Its range extends to Macaronesia, where it can be found on the Canary Islands. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it inhabits the nations of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leonotis nepetifolia is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes and varying topographical conditions. It inhabits a wide range of ecosystems, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), and Restinga, as well as various forest types such as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, and Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial). Additionally, the species is capable of thriving in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and Carrasco environments. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the plant exhibits significant ecological plasticity, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1900 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Leonotis nepetifolia are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation within the species, which suggests a complex evolutionary history or potential polyploidy. Specifically, the chromosome number for this plant is not fixed at a single value but has been documented to vary, with observed counts of 24, 26, and 28. This numerical fluctuation in the karyotype can influence the plant's genetic diversity, adaptability to different environmental niches, and its reproductive mechanisms. Such chromosomal instability or variation is often a key factor in the speciation and genetic divergence observed within the Lamiaceae family.

Chromosome number :

24, 26, 28

Life history

The life history of Leonotis nepetifolia is characterized by a lifecycle that is classified as annual, meaning it completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological strategy and growth habit, the plant functions as a therophyte, surviving the unfavorable seasons primarily as a seed to ensure continuity in its environment. Furthermore, its structural life form is identified as a chamaephyte, indicating that its regenerative buds are located close to the soil surface, which influences its ability to withstand varying environmental conditions throughout its short life cycle.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Leonotis nepetifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb or forb. The plant is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism that is neither an epiphyte nor a parasite. It possesses a self-supporting structure, meaning it does not function as a liana, vine, or climber. The shoots exhibit an erect orientation, growing vertically from the ground. In terms of stature, the plant demonstrates significant variability in height, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.75 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Leonotis nepetifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features an opposite leaf arrangement, with individual leaves exhibiting an elliptic form. These leaves vary in dimensions, with a minimum length of 4.5 cm reaching a maximum of 16 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 2 cm to a mean and maximum of 6 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on available soil nutrients rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to support its physiological development.

Leaf arrangement :

opposite

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leonotis nepetifolia is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in June and concludes in August. During this time, the plant produces vibrant orange flowers, which can reach a maximum length of 2.5 cm. The pollination process is biotic, specifically utilizing bees as the primary pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops small, brown fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent and range in length from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.55 cm. Each fruit contains a modest number of seeds, typically ranging between 1 and 10 per fruit. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.001858 g, a minimum mass of 0.0004 g, and a maximum mass of 0.00264 g. Dispersal of these seeds is considered unspecialized, relying on non-specific mechanisms to spread throughout the environment.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flower colour :

orange

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00264 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001858 g

Seed mass min:

4e-04 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leonotis nepetifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf.

Flower

1. Natural product research

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Leonotis nepetifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cirsiliol, Germacrene D.

Cirsiliol

1. PeerJ
2. Heliyon

Germacrene D

1. Natural product research

Activities

Leonotis nepetifolia has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Hypnotic, Sedative.

Antifungal

1. Natural product research

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Cytotoxic

1. PeerJ

Hypnotic

1. PeerJ

Sedative

1. PeerJ

Conditions

Leonotis nepetifolia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, hypnotic, infections, inflammations, sedative.

Cancer

1. Heliyon

Hypnotic

1. PeerJ

Infections

1. Natural product research

Inflammations

1. Natural product research

Sedative

1. PeerJ

Tumor

1. Heliyon

Preparations

Leonotis nepetifolia has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cirsiliol, leaf and flower essential oils.

Cirsiliol

1. Heliyon

Leaf and flower essential oils

1. Natural product research