The type for the genus is the specimen of Leonotis ocymifolia that was originally described as Leonotis leonitis.
Leonotis artemisia, also known as motherwort, is a species of plant in the Leonotis genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
Some plant species from which Malachite Sunbirds feed include many Aloe species, such as Aloe broomii, Aloe ferox and Aloe arborescens, and Protea species, such as Protea roupelliae as well as various other bird-pollinated plants such as Leonotis and Strelitzia.