Hazardous Substances
Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus)
Street names: Lion's tail, Wild dagga, Leonotis
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mild calming smoke — placebo-adjacent; sold as 'legal cannabis alternative'
⚠Key risks
- LOW harm itself
- The 'cannabis alternative' marketing invites expectation mismatch
- Often blended with damiana/kanna — and occasionally sprayed synthetics
- Smoked plant matter harms lungs regardless of the herb
✚Overdose signs
- None documented
📋Quick facts
Also known asLion's tail, Wild dagga, Leonotis
CategoryHazardous Substances
Schedule / classLegal ornamental/ethylnobotanical
AppearanceOrange flower clusters dried and smoked; South African traditional ('wild dagga' = wild cannabis, but no cannabinoids)
Street price$5–$15 per ounce
Legal statusLegal; sold as incense in many shops
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: Erowid, PubMed
Category comparison — Hazardous Substances
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) | Legal ornamental/ethylnobotanical | LOW harm itself; The 'cannabis alternative' marketing invites expectation mismatch | $5–$15 per ounce |
| Damiana (Turnera diffusa) | Legal herb; supplement | LOW harm — the main risk is as a base for sprayed synthetic cannabinoids ('Spice on damiana'); Mislabeled blends are the real product | $5–$15 per ounce |
| Cannabis (Weed) | Schedule I | Anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia — especially high-THC strains and concentrates; Impaired memory, coordination and driving ability for hours | ~$10–$20 per gram flower |
| Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) | Unregulated supplement | SSRI-class activity — DANGEROUS with antidepressants (serotonin syndrome); No regulation of extracts | $15–$40 powder |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) look like?
Orange flower clusters dried and smoked; South African traditional ('wild dagga' = wild cannabis, but no cannabinoids)
What are the signs of a Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) overdose?
None documented Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
LOW harm itself Dependence can develop with regular use.