Lantana
Yellow Orange Lantana
Pink Yellow Lantana
Lantana camara
Native to tropical areas in Central & South America, this beauty has become naturalized all over the world. My BFF Pef likes this flower. These ones, found at the Raulston Arboretum, are for her. eep!
All over the world Lantana has shown to be hardy and survive even in climates that receive little rain and can get searing hot. Because it is so lovely and easy going it is a gardener’s dream. It also is widely used in butterfly gardens because those flying critters are also partial to those clustered charming little blooms. Lantana camara, shown above, is also known as Spanish Flag because it is native to Central and South America.
Lantana Trouble!
Not always full of niceties – this species of lantana is also considered to be invasive in parts of India and Australia because it can spread very quickly and it is fire resistant. It is also causing problems in Texas and Hawaii. In greenhouses it is notorious for attracting whitefly which is a nasty little fly that feeds on leaves and can destroy entire crops.
Lantana Redemption!
It doesn’t have to be all bad! Lantana provides shelter for several native marsupial species in Australia (the very country that calls it a pest). Its hollow stems is an ideal habitat for the Exoneura Australian Bee, which is considered vulnerable. Many folks also get extra use out of the plant by using branches to make brooms and sturdier stalks in the construction of furniture. The berries, when ripe, are edible – but if they are still green are poisonous so go easy on putting strange things in your mouth.*
*Note-to-self as I suppose I can’t resist sniffing and tasting everythingn the garden (never learning my lesson after long nights in the bathroom and snifflingly-miserable allergies….).
yay! my sunshine lantana, carlos, is a tough cookie fo sho.
he’s been from tennessee to vermont and back again!
thanks for the superb photo-share,
pef
p.s. he’s stinky, too. are lantanas nightshades? i feel like that’s correctamundo. part of the poisonbellies and such?
Hm. Curious question. I don’t know if they are related to nightshades. The leaves tell me no, but your gut tells me yes. I must investigate the poisonous stinkers further!
oh hi you!
so, no to nightshade, yes to:
“Not only do the leaves cause skin rashes, eating the fruit, foliage or stems has caused gastroenteritis, diarrhea, jaundice, photosensitivity, ulcers at the nose and mouth, peeling skin and, potentially, death.”
yum and goodtimes all ’round!