Lantana Lantana camara (L.) Verbenaceae

Biology Native to West Indies and AfricaNative to West Indies and Africa Hundreds of cultivars developedHundreds of cultivars developed Worldwide distribution – Americas, EuropeWorldwide distribution – Americas, Europe Serious pest in Australia, New Zealand and IndiaSerious pest in Australia, New Zealand and India

Biology Stems used for paper pulp Bark used as an astringent and lotion in leprous ulcers & other skin eruptions Leaves boiled and applied for swellings and pain Alkaloids from the plant can be used to lower blood pressure

Background Economic Uses Cultivated extensively as an landscape speciesCultivated extensively as an landscape species Showy flowersShowy flowers Also used as a hedgeAlso used as a hedge

Distribution Found throughout much of FloridaFound throughout much of Florida Commonly found along roadways and disturbed areas, forest edges, pasturesCommonly found along roadways and disturbed areas, forest edges, pastures Frequently found in abandoned citrus grovesFrequently found in abandoned citrus groves Isolated infestations in other areas including Georgia, Texas, California and HawaiiIsolated infestations in other areas including Georgia, Texas, California and Hawaii

Lantana Distribution in Florida

Impacts Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC) Decreases productivity in pasturesDecreases productivity in pastures Toxic to cattle and other grazing animalsToxic to cattle and other grazing animals Allelopathic – inhibits growth of other plants thru exudation of chemicalsAllelopathic – inhibits growth of other plants thru exudation of chemicals Invades natural areas, outcompetes native speciesInvades natural areas, outcompetes native species Readily hybridize with native LantanaReadily hybridize with native Lantana

Identification

Mature Plant Perennial shrub, can be erect growing or prostratePerennial shrub, can be erect growing or prostrate Often highly branched, creating a dense hedgeOften highly branched, creating a dense hedge

Leaves Oppositely arrangedOppositely arranged Ovate shape with serrate marginsOvate shape with serrate margins Aromatic when crushedAromatic when crushed Rough, sandpaper- like textureRough, sandpaper- like texture

Flowers and Fruit Flowering occurs year-roundFlowering occurs year-round Borne in clusters at tip of stemBorne in clusters at tip of stem Change color after pollinationChange color after pollination Fruit are small and dark purpleFruit are small and dark purple

Seed Prolific seed producer 12,000 fruits per plant Seed germination is normally low Dispersal via birds and other animals Passage through animal digestive system increases germination rate

Management PreventativeCulturalMechanicalBiologicalChemical

Preventative 1.Limit planting as an ornamental 2.Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are produced 3.Rouge out plants in abandoned areas

Cultural 1.Alternative landscape plants to replace lantana 2.Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with lantana 3.Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce establishment

Biological 1.Several under consideration in Florida, but release is controversial due to landscape popularity biocontrol agents released In Hawaii with varying results 3.Most effective agents are:  Defoliating caterpillar Hypena strigata  Seed-destroying fly Ophiomyia lantanae  Lace bug Teleonemia scrupulosa

Mechanical 1.Hand pull young seedlings, including all roots, repeated pulling for resprouts 2.Mowing is effective, but must be repeated 3.Heavy equipment such as bulldozers or stickraking is effective, especially if coupled with fire – retreatment needed

Chemical - Foliar 1.Broadcast applications for large areas Glyphosate is only marginally effective Glyphosate is only marginally effective Fluroxypyr + aminopyralid good, but need to be repeated after 6 months Fluroxypyr + aminopyralid good, but need to be repeated after 6 months 2.Spot treatment for smaller areas Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solution Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solution Imazapyr – 0.5 to 1% solution Imazapyr – 0.5 to 1% solution 3.Use surfactant at 0.25%

Chemical - Basal 1.Individual plants, near desirable species 2.Use 25% fluroxypyr or 10% imazapyr solution with basal oil 3.Wet stems thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at ground 4.Mowing and applying to cut stems is most cost-effective

Useful Links Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk: University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source:

Useful Links Lantana camara (Fankatavinakoho, Fotatra, lantana, Mandadrieko, Rajejeka, Radredreka, Ramity) (in press) In Goodman S.M. and J.P. Benstead (Eds) The natural history of Madagascar. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. ogy/docs/mad-lanta.RTF ogy/docs/mad-lanta.RTF Mount Morgan Council Homepage:

Literature Cited Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.