What is a Lantana camara?
Lantana camara (lantana) is a shrub (family Verbenaceae) with a multicolored cluster of flowers and fragrant oval-shaped leaves found in the central and south coast ranges of California. It is native to the Caribbean. It favors grasslands, woodlands, and riparian and bottomland habitat. It produces seeds and spreads through its roots.
What is the scientific name of Lantana?
Lantana camara commonly known as common lantana is a species of flowering plant within the verbena family (Verbenaceae). The plant is native to the Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean (i.e. the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico) and tropical South America (i.e. Venezuela and Colombia).
Is Lantana camara the same as Sage?
This variety loves tropical areas and also may be called buttonsage or wild sage because of its fragrance. Despite its popular nickname, the Lantana Camara herb is not related to the Sage plant family. The somewhat hairy shrub (Lantana) produces a spicy, pungent odor when bruised.
What is the other name of trailing lantana?
Lantana montevidensis This variety often is referred to as trailing lantana or shrub verbena. It comes in many different colors and can bloom year-round in tropical climates. It’s often used ornamentally in flower gardens.
What is Lantana camara in English?
Lantana camara L. (Sage (English) or Caturang (Hindi)) is an aromatic, evergreen shrub belonging to the family Verbenaceae.
What is the use of Lantana camara?
According to a published medical review on medicinal properties of lantana, its leaves are used for treating malaria, chickenpox, asthma, ulcer, swelling, eczema, tumour, high blood pressure, bilious fever, sores, measles, fevers, colds and high blood pressure.
What family is lantana plant in?
VerbenasLantanas / FamilyThe Verbenaceae, the verbena family or vervain family, is a family of mainly tropical flowering plants. It contains trees, shrubs, and herbs notable for heads, spikes, or clusters of small flowers, many of which have an aromatic smell. The family Verbenaceae includes 32 genera and 800 species. Wikipedia
What is lantana known for?
Lantana is valued for its long season of reliable bloom. Many cultivars display multiple colors within each two-inch wide disc-shaped flower head. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Foliage is coarse, lightly toothed and rough to the touch.
Can u eat lantana flowers?
Yes, all parts of the lantana plant are toxic and poisonous.
What are the benefits of lantana leaves?
Use of lantana extracts in folk medicine for the treatment of cancers, chicken pox, measles, asthma, ulcers, swellings, eczema, tumors, high blood pressure, bilious fevers, catarrhal infections, tetanus, rheumatism, malaria and atoxy of abdominal viscera, is also reported.
What's another name for lantana?
The common lantana (also called shrub verbena) is one of the most widely cultivated varieties of lantana flowers.
Is Lantana camara fruit edible?
Sharma which states "Green unripe fruits of the plant are toxic to humans". North Carolina State University's Extension Gardener website states that ingestion of the flowers, fruits, and leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and liver failure, while the leaves can cause contact dermatitis.
How do you use Lantana camara leaves?
Lantana camara oil is used in the treatment of skin itches and as an antiseptic for wounds. The oil decoction is externally applied to treat and manage leprosy and scabies. It is applied as a poultice on rheumatic joints. The oil is spread on leaves, warmed over low flame and applied on the affected part.
What kind of flower is lantana?
Lantana plants are evergreens of the broadleaf variety. Although they may act like a vine, they are classified by botanists as shrubs. Lantana's colorful blooms make good specimen plants. They are also used as border shrubs and as ground cover in areas with full sunshine in warm climates.
Is lantana poisonous to touch?
Is Lantana poisonous to touch? Yes, the leaves of the lantana plant can cause skin irritation.
Is lantana a type of mint?
The leaves and fruit are browsed by white-tailed deer, and the leaves and nectar attract butterflies. The whole plant is aromatic, and it has sometimes been identified as belonging to the mint family, of which the true marjoram is a member.
Can Lantana be used for tea?
There is no doubt that green Lantana camara berries have killed children and sickened adults. Conversely, a mild tea made from the leaf is still used in the Caribbean Islands to ease cold symptoms. The ripe berries are used to make jam, jellies, pies and cordials in Ecuador.
How does Lantana camara affect the environment?
Lantana invasion has reduced productivity and herbaceous species diversity on the ranch. Soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium have significantly increased on the invaded site, while soil moisture content has only slightly increased.
Can cows eat Lantana?
Species affected by lantana poisoning include cattle, sheep, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Further research is needed to determine the long term effects of lantana on goats and camels. Children can also be poisoned by eating berries, but symptoms differ to those of livestock.
Can you cook with Lantana?
Culinary: As mentioned above, it is not unheard of for people to harvest ripe berries from lantana species and use them in cooking.
Where is Lantana Camara found?
It is found frequently in east and southern Africa, where it occurs at altitudes below 2000 m, and often invades previously disturbed areas such as logged forests and areas cleared for agriculture.
How tall does Lantana Camara grow?
L. camara var., in China, from Flower View. Lantana camara is a perennial, erect sprawling or scandent, shrub which typically grows to around 2 m tall and form dense thickets in a variety of environments. In the right conditions though, it can scramble up into trees and can grow to 6 metres tall.
Why is L. camara less prone to being eaten by animals?
Less prone to being eaten by animals due to toxicity. Tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions. Increase in logging and habitat modification, which has been beneficial to L. camara as it prefers disturbed habitats. Production of toxic chemicals which inhibit competing plant species.
How does L. camara affect the forest?
Although L. camara is itself quite resistant to fire, it can change fire patterns in a forest eco system by altering the fuel load, causing a buildup of forest fuel, which itself increases the risk of fires spreading to the canopy. This can be particularly destructive in dry, arid areas where fire can spread quickly and lead to the loss of large areas of natural ecosystem.
What is the color of L. camara?
The fruit of L. camara is a berry-like drupe which turns from green to dark purple when mature. Green unripe fruits are inedible to humans and animals alike. Because of dense patches of hard spikes on their rind, ingestion of them can result in serious damage to the digestive tract.
What does L. camara smell like?
Flowers come in many different colours, including red, yellow, white, pink and orange, which differ depending on location in inflorescences, age, and maturity. The flower has a tutti frutti smell with a peppery undertone. After pollination occurs, the colour of the flowers changes (typically from yellow to orangish, pinkish, or reddish); this is believed to be a signal to pollinators that the pre-change colour contains a reward as well as being sexually viable, thus increasing pollination efficiency.
Where does the name Lantana come from?
Etymology. The name Lantana derives from the Latin name of the wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana, the flowers of which closely resemble Lantana. Camara is derived from Greek, meaning ‘arched’, ‘chambered’, or ‘vaulted’.
Assessment (s)
Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.
Weed Management Notes
No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site .
Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations
Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.
Summary
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Summary of Invasiveness
L. camara is a highly variable ornamental shrub, native of the neotropics. It has been introduced to most of the tropics and subtropics as a hedge plant and has since been reported as extremely weedy and invasive in many countries.
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
L. camara is a highly variable species which has been widely cultivated for over 300 years. Hundreds of cultivars and hybrids exist ( Howard, 1969) and most of them belong to the L. camara complex ( Stirton, 1979 ).
Description
L. camara is a medium-sized perennial aromatic shrub, 2-5 m tall, with quadrangular stems, sometimes having prickles. The posture may be sub-erect, scrambling, or occasionally clambering (ascending into shrubs or low trees, clinging to points of contact by means of prickles, branches, and leaves). Frequently, multiple stems arise from ground level.
Distribution
L. camara is native to Central and South America but its original distribution is unclear due to the introduction of a number of ornamental varieties. The species has also been poorly investigated in its native range, where it is not usually considered to be a serious pest, and the extent of its original native range is unclear.
Distribution Table
The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
History of Introduction and Spread
L. camara has been introduced throughout the tropics and subtropics, often used as a hedge plant, and is commonly grown in the temperate zone.
Where is Lantana Camara native to?
The plant is native to the Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean (i.e. the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico) and tropical South America (i.e. Venezuela and Colombia).
What is the use of lantana?
The plant has antimicrobial, fungicidal, insecticidal, and nematocidal properties. Essential oil obtained from the plant is used for the treatment of skin itches, wounds, leprosy, and scabies.
How tall does a lantana grow?
Common lantana is a low, invasive, small, erect or sub-scandent, vigorous perennial shrub that normally grows around 6-15 ft. (1.8-4.6 m) tall. The plant Is found growing in cultivated land, fence lines, pastures, rangelands, valleys, mountain slopes, coastal areas, wastelands, rain forest edges, beach fronts, roadsides, railways and areas recovering from fire or logging, grasslands, secondary forest, waterways, fence-lines, disturbed sites, closed forests, forest margins, plantation crops, pastures and park lands. The plant grows best in moist, well-drained soil, that’s slightly acidic, but they can survive in drier conditions. Drainage is important as they don’t live as long with wet roots. The plant has very strong root system with a main taproot and a mat of many shallow side roots.
What is a trailing lantana?
This variety often is referred to as trailing lantana or shrub verbena. It comes in many different colors and can bloom year-round in tropical climates. It’s often used ornamentally in flower gardens.
What is the name of the shrub with hairy leaves?
Rough Shrubverbena earns its name from its “hairy” leaves. The blooms, however, are identical to those found on common lantana varieties.
Can Lantana Camara be used for scabies?
There are scientific findings that indicate that Lantana Camara can be used to heal wounds due to its fast-acting antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
Is Lantana Camara related to Sage?
Despite its popular nickname, the Lantana Camara herb is not related to the Sage plant family. The somewhat hairy shrub (Lantana) produces a spicy, pungent odor when bruised. Not only functions as an ornamental plant but the health benefits of Lantana Camara affect body health as follows
What is a lantana?
Lantanas are flowering shrubs and members of the plant genus Lantana (pronounced lan-TAYN-uh). Known for having plentiful, showy flowers and long blooming season lantana plants will spruce up any garden with perennial blooms. Not only that, but they are extremely low maintenance – especially if you choose one of the cultivated varieties.
What are the colors of lantanas?
However, the flowers grow in bundles or flower heads that are usually 1-2 inches across which gives the feeling of a larger bloom. The flowers can be red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white. Horticulturists have put lantana species through heavy hybridization to create an enormous array of lantana options. As a bonus, many lantana species also have a herby fragrance to their leaves. They are sometimes confused with oregano or marjoram.
Why are lantanas important?
Ecological Importance. Not only are they beautiful, but lantanas also serve as a key resource for many pollinators. The flowers create important nectar resources for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Additionally, some species of lantana act as the host plants for certain species of butterfly.
How many species of lantanas are there?
Lantanas are a member of the Verbenaceae family. There are over 150 species in the Lantana genus, but with all the hybrids and cultivars, your options are nearly unlimited. Another genus in the Vegenaceae family includes the Verbana species.
What is the difference between verbena and lantana?
First, lantana plants grow as evergreen shrubs while verbena plants are herbaceous perennials, meaning they lack a woody stalk.
Why are lantanas so popular?
Lantana species are popular garden plants because of their showy blooms and ability to attract native pollinators. However, some species can become invasive, so be sure to check with your state or area’s invasive plants list before starting a lantana garden.
Where do lantanas grow?
Native to regions like Texas, Florida, and Hawaii in the US along with Central and South America, lantanas are happiest in tropical ecosystems. Because of their propensity to grow in such hot, humid climates, they are able to stay active year-round. That means flowers…lots of flowers.
Overview
Lantana camara (common lantana) is a species of flowering plant within the verbena family (Verbenaceae), native to the American tropics. It is a very adaptable species, which can inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems; once it has been introduced into a habitat it spreads rapidly; between 45ºN and 45ºS and more than 1,400 metres (4,600 feet) in altitude.
Description
Lantana camara is a perennial, erect sprawling or scandent, shrub which typically grows to around 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) tall and form dense thickets in a variety of environments. Under the right conditions, it can scramble up into trees and can grow to 6 m (20 ft) tall.
The leaves are broadly ovate, opposite, and simple and have a strong odour wh…
Taxonomy
Due to extensive selective breeding throughout the 17th and 18th centuries for use as an ornamental plant, there are now many different cultivars.
Other common names include Cariaquillo (Boriken, Puerto Rico), Spanish flag, big-sage (Malaysia), Putush (West Bengal), Kongini (Kerala), wild-sage, red-sage, white-sage (Caribbean), korsu wiri or korsoe wiwiri (Suriname), tickberry (South Africa), Kashi Kothan (Maldives), West Indian lanta…
Distribution and habitat
The native range of Lantana camara is Central and South America; however, it has become naturalised in around 60 tropical and sub-tropical countries worldwide. It is found frequently in east and southern Africa, where it occurs at altitudes below 2,000 m (6,600 ft), and often invades previously disturbed areas such as logged forests and areas cleared for agriculture.
L. camara has also spread across the areas of Africa, Southern Europe, such as Spain and Portu…
Ecology
Birds and other animals eat the seeds, helping spread them over large distances.
The species is found in a variety of environments, including:
• Agricultural areas
• Forest margins and gaps
Toxicity
Lantana camara is known to be toxic to livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, dogs and goats. The active substances causing toxicity in grazing animals are pentacyclic triterpenoids, which result in liver damage and photosensitivity. L. camara also excretes allelopathic chemicals, which reduce the growth of surrounding plants by inhibiting germination and root elongation.
The toxicity of L. camara to humans is undetermined, with several studies suggesting that inges…
Uses
Lantana camara stalks have been used in the construction of furniture, such as chairs and tables; however, the main uses have historically been medicinal and ornamental.
Studies conducted in India have found that Lantana leaves can display antimicrobial, fungicidal and insecticidal properties. L. camara has also been used in traditional herbal medicines for treating a variety of ailments, including cancer, skin itches, leprosy, chicken pox, measles, asthma and ulcers.
External links
• "Lantana Lantana camara". Weeds of National Significance. Weeds Australia. Archived from the original on 2014-01-27.
• "Lantana Control Tips" (PDF). Weeds of National Significance. Weeds Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03.
• USDA Forest service brochure