Common Lantana

 Common Lantana a Species of Shrub verbenas

Common Name.

Red sag

Yellow sag

West indian Lantana

Botanical Name

Lantana camara

Information

The common lantana is a flowering plant that grows best in tropical environments. It spread outside the Americas when the Dutch brought it to Europe. The plant is generally regarded as an unwanted weed that reduces biodiversity. Additionally, it is toxic to livestock and harms the output of farmland.

What animals are affected by the toxins of common lantana?

Common lantana contains triterpene acids, which cause a variety of negative effects on animals. All parts of the plant are toxic.

Is the common lantana poisonous?

Common lantana (Lantana camara) is a tropical flowering shrub native to Central and South America. Due to its popularity as an ornamental plant, it became naturalized throughout the Neotropics, with most spreading occurring during the 19th century. Today, it is present on all continents except Antarctica and is especially weedy in Australia, India, and South Africa, where it engulfs millions of hectares. The seeds are dispersed by birds.

Common lantana prefers disturbed land such as wastelands, rainforest edges, railways, and roads. It cannot penetrate natural forests unless they are damaged by logging or fires, so its spread goes hand-in-hand with these activities.

Attract Birds

Common lantana boast a wide variety of vibrantly colored flowers that attract many pollinators. They create long, thin plumes that burst with oranges, pinks, yellows, and reds. That's ideal for hummingbirds and many different butterfly species which can spot these colors from far away. Once there, they hover, dipping their beaks into the narrow path that leads to rich nectar. Some common lantana produce fruits, seeds, and leaves that are toxic to most wildlife. However, some local birds do eat the berries when other food options aren't available.

Name Story

Common lantana

This plant is often called common lantana, in which lantana is a Latin name for the wayfaring tree, Viburnum lantana, because they both have similar-looking flowers.

Interesting Facts

The branches, leaves and flowers of Lantana can volatilize odor that is very sensitive for mosquitoes and flies but no harm to humans. That’s why it has a strong effect of repelling mosquitoes and flies. Moreover, it has brilliant and changeable color. It has the reputation of " seven-changeable mosquitoes repellent”. So it has the dual functions of expelling mosquitoes and beautifying courtyards.

Symbolism

rigor, nobility

National Flower

Myanmar

Characteristics

Plant Type

Shrub

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Plant Height

3 to 7 feet

Spread

6 feet

Flower Size

Inflorescence 0.6 inch to 1 inch

Habitat

Plantation, pastures

Flower Color

YellowRedOrangePinkWhitePurpleLavenderGold

Leaf Color

Green

Fruit Color

PurpleGreenBlackBlueLavender

Stem Color

GreenRedYellow

Tips from Garden Coaches

A vibrant and colorful plant that produces numerous flowers throughout a long season, the common lantana may look stunning in a garden border or hedge, but it can also become invasive.

Conditions Requirement

Difficulty Rating

Common lantana is super easy to take care of, with resistance to almost all pests and diseases. It is a perfect option for gardeners with brown thumbs.

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial sun

Hardiness

30 ℉

Hardiness Zones

10 to 13

Soil

Sand, Loam, Clay, Chalky, Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

Care Guide

Water

The common lantana should be watered regularly, but avoid overwatering. This species should be planted in a well-drained pot because its blooms and roots are susceptible to overwatering. The common lantana should be watered after the top two inches of potting soil are allowed to dry.

Fertilization

Fertilization once in spring.

Pruning

Deadhead (or remove) withered flowers after flowering.

Planting Time

Late spring, Summer, Fall

Harvest Time

All year around

Propagation

Cutting, Division, Sowing

Pests and Diseases

Powdery mildew; glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite

Scientific classification

Genus

Lantana - Shrub verbenas

Family

Verbenaceae - Verbena, Vervain

Order

Lamiales - Mints plantains olives and allies

Class

Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons, Dicots, Eudicots

Phylum

Tracheophyta - Vascular plants, Seed plants, Ferns, Tracheophytes

Plant Distribution

Common lantana is native to Central and South America but invasive in the United States. This shrub thrives in a wide variety of habitats, including wastelands, rainforest edges, beachfronts, and open, unshaded regions of forests. It forms dense thickets and suppress native vegetation. These thickets create a dense understory in forests, turning them into shrubland. Common lantana has also been known to hybridize with similar native shrubs, further reducing these native species' numbers. Common lantana is a successful invader due to its high tolerance for a variety of habitats and climates and the successful dispersal of its seeds by birds.

Uses

Environmental Protection Value

Effects of soil consolidation, water conservation, soil improvement, fertility improvement and ecological environment improvement are obvious.

Economic Value

In industry, roots of the common lantana can be made into rubber, and the stems are raw materials for papermaking. Adding tobacco to the leaves can increase aroma or replace sandpaper for polishing.

Garden Use

Common lantana is planted along streets and in gardens for attractive borders, and can be used as a hedge. It is very popular in flower gardens for its bright, showy blooms and quick, aggressive growth. Growers also appreciate it for its hardiness against insects. This plant pairs well with citrus trees, succulents, and rock rose shrubs.