Lantana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Lantana (disambiguation).

iLantana

Lantana camara with crab spider

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Verbenaceae
Genus:	Lantana

Species

About 150 species, including
Lantana camara
Lantana montevidensis
Lantana rugulosa
Lantana tiliifolia
Lantana trifolia

Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants, native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa. The species include both herbaceous plants and shrubs growing to 0.5-2 m tall.

Lantana's aromatic flower clusters are a mix of red and orange florets. Other colors exist as new varieties are being selected.

Lantana berries are poisonous. Lantana flowers and berries are attractive to insects and birds.

[edit] Cultivation and uses

Several cultivars of Lantana camara have been selected for differing flower color

They are widely cultivated for their flowers in tropical and subtropical environments and (as an annual plant) in temperate climates. Some species are invasive, and are considered to be noxious weeds in southern Asia, southern Africa, and Australia, with there being specialised services that you can call in to remove the plants. In the United States, some Lantana species are now naturalized in the southeast, especially coastal regions of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and the Gulf Coast where it is often known as "ham and eggs". Lantana species are used as food plants by the larvae of hepialid moths of the genera Aenetus, including A. ligniveren and A. scotti, and Endoclita, including E. malabaricus. Other Lepidoptera whose larvae feed on Lantana include Hypercompe orsa and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Most of the plants sold as lantana are either Lantana camara, Lantana montevidensis, or hybrids between the two. L. camara (syn. L. aculeata or L. armata) is the most common species in cultivation. Numerous cultivars of this species exist, including 'Irene', 'Christine' and 'Dallas Red' (all tall-growing cultivars) and several recently introduced shorter ones. The shorter cultivars may flower more prolifically than the taller ones. Lantana montevidensis is known as Trailing Lantana. The species gives blue (or white) flowers all year round. Its foliage is dark green and has a typical odor.