The white-flowering Leonotis leonurus is an attractive form of this plant occurring in nature.

Leon (lion) and otis (ear) of the generic name are repeated in the lion's ear common name of the plant, an offence against both lions and these flowers! Maybe somebody thought that hairiness made the resemblance sufficient.

There are also albino lions: leonurus meaning lion-coloured thus still fitting both kinds of lion skins (www.plantzafrica.com).