Lantana
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 Lantana camara with crab spider
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About 150 species, including |
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants, native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa. The genus includes both herbaceous plants and shrubs growing to 0.5-2 m tall.
Lantana's aromatic flower clusters (called umbels) 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
Lantana species 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. 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 distinct odor.
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 Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) |
 Lantana flowers |
