Leonus

Leonus refers to a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, commonly known as the mint family. The genus was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Plants within the Leonus genus are characterized by their distinctive lipped flowers, often found in whorls along the stem. Many species exhibit a characteristic hairy or woolly appearance, contributing to their common names.

Species in the Leonus genus are distributed across temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are typically found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, and disturbed ground. The plants are often perennial herbs or subshrubs. Their leaves are usually simple and opposite, with toothed or serrated margins.

One of the most well-known species is Leonus cardiaca, commonly called Motherwort. This plant has a long history of traditional medicinal use, particularly for women's health issues. Other species within the genus include Leonus sibiricus and Leonus japonicus, which also have established uses in traditional medicine in their native regions. The genus is part of the larger tribe Lamieae, which contains many other familiar aromatic herbs.