Family: Lamiaceae

Status:

Description:
A perennial but not very woody shrub 0.5 to 2m high with finely furry grooved stems. Leaves are in opposite pairs, sparsely hairy, the same colour above and below, with toothed margins and a bluntly pointed tip, 5-8cm long. Flowers are orange, furry and tubular, about 2-5cm long, enclosed at the base by a sheath-like tubular green calyx. They are born in dense clusters in the leaf axils, each flower on only a very short stalk. The seeds are released from papery capsules, which persist on the plant for a long time. They can be seen in clusters spaced at intervals along the old dead stems.

Preferred habitat and impacts:
Usually seen only near houses where it probably becomes established due to dumping of seed-bearing garden waste. However, a population is well established and spreading by seed in dune vegetation at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River so it appears capable of spreading into relatively undisturbed native vegetation. If it becomes dense enough it may displace native species.

Dispersal:
Dumping of plants carrying seed, seed quite fine and may be spread in strong winds.

Look-alikes:
The foliage of lion’s tail could be confused with some other members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) such as the widespread weed purpletop (Verbena bonariensis) and the native Australian gypsywort (Lycopus australis) both of which have toothed opposite leaves. However these have square stems, while those of lion’s tail are grooved with rounded "corners". The bright orange flowers of lion’s tail are quite distinctive.

One rare native plant, tall raspwort (Haloragis exalata) also has toothed opposite leaves, but it too has square stems, and its flowers are very tiny, green to red and carried in long terminal spikes.

Control:
Seedlings and smaller adult plants may be hand pulled or dug out. Larger plants may need to be sprayed. If plants are carrying seed ensure this is not spread during control activities. Seed heads may need to be cut off and bagged for safe disposal before digging out the plant.