Difference between revisions of "Lantana"

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:''"Wild lantanas" are plants of the unrelated genus ''[[Abronia (plant)|Abronia]]'', usually called "sand-verbenas".''
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{{Plantbox
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{{Taxobox
 
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| color = lightgreen
 
 
| name = ''Lantana''
 
| name = ''Lantana''
 +
| common_names = Lantana
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| growth_habit = evergreen shrub
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| high =    <!--- 3ft (1m) -->
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| wide =    <!--- 20in (65cm) -->
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| origin = tropical [[Americas]], [[Africa]]
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| poisonous = all parts
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| lifespan =    <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
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| exposure = full sun
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| water = moderate
 +
| features =    <!--- flowers, fragrance, naturalizes, invasive -->
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| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 40F (5C), etc -->
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| bloom =    <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for it's flowers -->
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| usda_zones =    <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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| sunset_zones = 8-10, 12-30*
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| color = IndianRed
 
| image = LantanaFlowerLeaves.jpg
 
| image = LantanaFlowerLeaves.jpg
 
| image_width = 240px
 
| image_width = 240px
 
| image_caption = Wild-type Spanish Flag ''[[Lantana camara]]''
 
| image_caption = Wild-type Spanish Flag ''[[Lantana camara]]''
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| regnum = Plantae
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| divisio = Magnoliophyta
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| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
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| classis = Magnoliopsida
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| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
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| ordo = Lamiales
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| familia = [[Verbenaceae]]
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| familia = Verbenaceae
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| genus = '''''Lantana'''''
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| genus = Lantana
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
 
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| subdivision =
 
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About 150, see text
 
 
}}
 
}}
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Popular garden plant due to the long bloom season, which is year-round in frost-free climates.  Light frosts just kill some of the tender growth, while heavy freezes (*Sunset zones 8-10, 14, 29, 30) can seriously damage or kill the plants.  In other colder zones, they can be grown as annuals.
  
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'''''Lantana''''' is a [[genus]] of about 150 [[species]] of [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[flowering plant]]s, native to [[tropics|tropical]] regions of the [[Americas]], [[Africa]] and existing as an imported plant in numerous areas, especially in the [[Australia]]n-[[Pacific]] region. The genus includes both [[herbaceous]] plants and [[shrub]]s growing to 0.5-2 [[metre|m]] tall. Their common names are '''shrub verbenas''' or '''lantanas'''.
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''[[Lantana montevidensis|L. montevidensis]]'' is one of the most popular species, which you'll find at the nurseries, though most are simply sold as "Lantana" or the cultivar name.  Branches can trail 3-6 feet (1-2m), with dark green coarsely toothed leaves, which can take on a reddish/purple hue, especially from cold.  These come in purple, white, pink, mixes of red/orange/yellow, etc. The variety is also used to create hybrids.
  
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Lantana's aromatic [[flower]] clusters (called [[umbels]]) are a mix of red, orange, yellow, or blue and white [[floret]]s. Other colors exist as new varieties are being selected. The flowers typically change color as they mature, resulting in [[inflorescence]]s that are two- or three-colored.
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Crushed leaves give off a strong scent that some people don't like.
  
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==Ecology==
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{{Inc|
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[[Image:Lantana Invasion of abandoned citrus plantation Sdey Hemed Israel.JPG|thumb|left|240px|''Lantana'' overgrowing an abandoned plantation in [[Sdey Hemed]] ([[Israel]])]]
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Lantana (old name, once applied to a viburnum). Verbenaceae. Mostly shrubs or undershrubs, sometimes half-climbing, with opposite or verticillate rough dentate leaves, and spikes or cymes of small verbena-like flowers; one species or group much grown by florists, and a few others sometimes planted.
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Some species are [[invasive species|invasive]], and are considered to be [[noxious weed]]s, such as in [[South Asia]], [[Southern Africa]] and [[Australia]]. In the [[United States]], lantanas are naturalized in the [[Southeastern United States|southeast]], especially coastal regions of [[the Carolinas]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Florida]], and the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]] where it is often known as '''"ham and eggs"'''.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
 
  
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The spread of lantana is aided by the characteristic of their leaves, which are somewhat poisonous to most animals, while their fruit is a delicacy for many [[bird]]s which distribute the seeds. Birds like the [[Yellow-fronted White-eye]] of [[Vanuatu]], the [[Superb Fairy-wren]] in Australia, or the [[Mauritius Bulbul]] in the [[Mascarenes]] thus unwittingly contribute to the degradation of their home [[ecosystem]].{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
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Plant scabrous, hirsute or pubescent: fls. small, red, orange, white or otherwise, in dense spikes or heads, gamopetalous, the calyx very small, the corolla somewhat irregularly 4-5-parted but not bilabiate, the corolla- tube slender; stamens 4. didynamous, attached midway in the tube, included; ovary 2-loculed, becoming a fleshy or dryish drupe with 2 nutlets: bracts subtending the head often imitate an involucre. Verbena differs in having achene-like nutlets and long-tubular 5 toothed calyx.—Species probably 50, mostly in Trop. and Subtrop. Amer., but also in the Old World. Lantanas have been long in culture, and it is difficult to refer the garden forms to botanical species. The species themselves are confusing. Most of the garden kinds are of the L. Camara type. There are several camara-like species which probably have hybridized to produce these forms; but Voss regards these species as only forms of L. Camara (preferring, however, to use the name L. aculeata). Accepting L. Camara in Voss's sense, the garden lantanas may be said to be derived from that species; and this view is adopted below. In recent years, a strain of very dwarf varieties has become popular as border plants. The lantanas are free-flowering in winter and summer, but an odor of foliage and flowers that is disagreeable to many persons prevents them from popular use as cut-flowers. They are very useful in window-gardens and the dwarf kinds make good subjects for hanging-baskets. From the window they may be transferred to the open in summer, where they bloom profusely.
  
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[[Biological control]] of introduced lantanas has been attempted, without robust success. In Australia, about 30 insects have been introduced in an attempt to control the spread of lantanas, and this has caused problems of its own. The [[Lantana Bug]] (''[[Aconophora compressa]]'') for example is a [[phagy|polyphagous]] species introduced in 1995 that feeds on dozens of plants, and not only has it failed to have a noticeable impact on the lantana population, it has even become a [[pest (organism)|pest]] in horticulture, parasitizing the related fiddlewoods (''[[Citharexylum]]''). The small ''Lantana''-feeding [[moth]]s ''[[Epinotia lantana]]'' and ''[[Lantanophaga pusillidactyla]]'', while not becoming pests, have nonetheless failed to stem the spread of the invasive weed, as has the [[Lantana Scrub-hairstreak]] [[butterfly]] (''[[Strymon bazochii]]'') which was introduced to control lantanas on the [[Hawaiian Islands]].
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The culture of the florists' lantana is relatively simple. It is grown under glass for bloom in cold weather and also in the open in summer. It has been improved in its usefulness as a bedding-plant of late years, largely through the efforts of French hybridists. The older varieties were mostly rather tall and lanky, later in coming into bloom, and dropped their flowers badly after rain-storms, but were showy in warm and dry weather. The new varieties are dwarf, spreading and bushy in habit, early and free-flowering, and the heads or umbels of bloom average much larger, with florets in proportion; nor do they drop from the plants as did the old varieties in bad weather. These newer kinds are not so well known as they should be. They are very desirable for any situation where sun-loving bedding plants are used, in groups or borders, window-boxes, baskets and vases. The lantana is not particular as to soil, provided the exposure is sunny, and also that the soil is well supplied with moisture at least until a fair growth has been made. When well established the plants do not seem to mind drought, and continue bright and attractive in the hottest weather. They should not be transplanted out in the open before danger of frost is over. If the old plants are wanted for propagation, cut them back and transfer to pots early in September, and when they start into new growth, the soft wood will furnish cuttings that root easily. Keep young stock in a warm position through the winter months, and repot in April.Save the old plants, after frost has nipped their freshness late in autumn, prune severely back, remove them indoors, giving them a temperature anywhere above 40°, and with a little attention and fresh soil, every plant will be a perfect specimen, covered with blooms in May. Gardeners train them into fine standards, as prim and shapely as need be. Among the French varieties are very dwarf spreading growers, about 8 inches high.  
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}}
  
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Other [[Lepidoptera]] whose [[caterpillar]]s feed on ''Lantana'' species include the [[Common Splendid Ghost Moth]] (''[[Aenetus ligniveren]]''), ''[[Aenetus scotti]]'', ''[[Endoclita malabaricus]]'', ''[[Hypercompe orsa]]'' and the [[Setaceous Hebrew Character]] (''Xestia c-nigrum''). The [[Swamp Wallaby]] (''Wallabia bicolor'') is one of the few [[mammal]]s that eat ''Lantana'' leaves without apparent ill effect.
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==Cultivation==
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[[Image:Lantana Invasion of abandoned citrus plantation Sdey Hemed Israel.JPG|thumb|left|200px|''Lantana'' overgrowing an abandoned plantation.]]
 +
A hard pruning is very useful in the spring to remove dead wood and prevent woodiness.  Requires little or no fertilizing, over fertilizing or water reduces flowering.
  
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As a positive aspect, lantanas are useful as [[honey plant]]s, and Spanish Flag (''[[Lantana camara|L. camara]]''), ''[[Lantana lilacina|L. lilacina]]'' and ''[[Lantana trifolia|L. trifolia]]'' are sometimes planted for this purpose, or in [[butterfly gardening]]. Butterflies which are attracted to lantana flowers are most notably [[Papilioninae]] (swallowtail and birdwing butterflies). [[Hesperiidae]] (skippers) and certain [[brush-footed butterflies]] (namely [[Danainae]] and [[Heliconiinae]]), as well as some [[Pieridae]] (e.g. [[Cloudless Sulphur]], ''Phoebis sennae'') and [[Lycaenidae]] (e.g. the aforementioned [[Lantana Scrub-hairstreak]]), also like to visit the plants' flowers. Consequently, as total eradication of ''Lantana'' seems often impossible, it may in many cases be better to simply remove plants with immature (green) fruit to prevent them from spreading.
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Shrub types used like annuals are good in beds, containers, as low hedges or as foundation shrubs.
  
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Some [[weaverbird]]s, e.g. the [[Black-throated Weaver]] (''Ploceus benghalensis'') and the [[Streaked Weaver]] (''P. manyar''), highly value ''Lantana'' flowers for decorating their nests. An ability to procure spectacular and innovative decorations appears to be desired by females, and consequently is an indicator of the males' [[fitness (biology)|fitness]].
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Spreading types make great groundcover, including on slopes, where they'll work to prevent erosion. These also look good growing over the sides of containers, raised beds, pots, or hanging baskets.
  
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''[[Ceratobasidium cornigerum]]'' is a [[Basidiomycota|higher fungus]] which parasitizes ''Lantana'' among other plants. The [[Sweet Potato Whitefly]] (''Bemisia tabaci'') is a common [[greenhouse]] pest and is often distributed with infested lantanas.
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===Propagation===
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Root semi-ripe [[cuttings]] in the summer, or plant seeds at 61-64F (16-18C) in the spring.
 +
 +
===Pests and diseases===
 +
Mildew can be a problem in shade, or during longer periods of overcast weather.  Can also be susceptible to whiteflies, spider mites, rust, virus disease, root knot nematodes, stem rot, and leaf spot.
  
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===Use by humans===
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==Species==
 
[[Image:Lantana blossom.jpg|right|thumb|Several cultivars of ''Lantana camara'' have been selected for differing flower color.]]
 
[[Image:Lantana blossom.jpg|right|thumb|Several cultivars of ''Lantana camara'' have been selected for differing flower color.]]
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''Lantana'' species are widely cultivated for their flowers in tropical and [[subtropical climate|subtropical]] environments and (as an [[annual plant]]) in [[temperate]] climates.
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Lantana is a genus of about 150 species. This list contains some of the better known species.
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Most of the plants sold as lantana are either Spanish Flag (''[[Lantana camara|L. camara]]''), [[Trailing Lantana]] (''[[Lantana montevidensis|L. montevidensis]]'', or [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] between the two. ''L. camara'' is the most common species in cultivation. Numerous [[cultivar]]s 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. ''L. montevidensis'' gives blue (or white) flowers all year round. Its foliage is dark green and has a distinct odor.
 
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Though lantanas are generally hardy and, being somewhat toxic, usually rejected by [[herbivore]]s, they may still become infested with [[pest (organism)|pest]]s, though pest control [[insecticidal soap]]s are harmful to these plants.
 
  
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Lantana [[berry|berries]] are edible when ripe<ref>Herzog ''et al.'' (1996), Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge & Libreros Ferla (2000), TAMREC (2000)</ref> though like many fruit are mildly [[poison]]ous if eaten while still green. Though it is strongly suspected that all latana leaves are toxic if eaten, ''[[Lantana rugosa|L. rugosa]]'' is allegedly used as a [[leaf vegetable]]{{Fact|date=November 2007}}<!-- From "List of plants with edible leaves", unsourced. Highly unlikely as Verbenaceae are generally not used as food, being toxic and/or medical plants -->.
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* ''[[Lantana camara]]'' (syn. ''L. aculeata'', ''L. armata'') &ndash; Spanish Flag)
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Though the stems even of larger lantanas are thin, the [[wood]] is very tough and durable and thus useful for various [[handicraft]]s such as [[wickerwork]]. The [[Soliga]] of [[Karnataka]] ([[India]]) are nowadays utilizing ''Lantana'' in their wickercraft. The plant is an invasive weed there, and has displaced much of the [[bamboo]] which formerly was the preferred material for Soliga artisans. By selectively harvesting lantanas for their craft, they are again able to make a living, as well as assisting the recovery of the native ecosystem and reducing the risk of [[forest fire]]s.<ref>Pandey (2007)</ref>
 
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== Species ==
 
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* ''[[Lantana camara]]'' (syn. ''L. aculeata'', ''L. armata'') &ndash; Spanish Flag, ''bahô-bahô; utot-utot; koronitas; kantutay'' ([[Philippines]])
 
 
* ''[[Lantana involucrata]]''
 
* ''[[Lantana involucrata]]''
 
** ''Lantana involucrata'' var. ''socorrensis''
 
** ''Lantana involucrata'' var. ''socorrensis''
Line 70: Line 78:
 
Image:Lantana montevidensis2.jpg|[[Trailing Lantana]]<br />(''[[Lantana montevidensis|L. montevidensis]]'')
 
Image:Lantana montevidensis2.jpg|[[Trailing Lantana]]<br />(''[[Lantana montevidensis|L. montevidensis]]'')
 
Image:Lantana urticoides.jpg|[[Texas Lantana]]<br/>(''[[Lantana urticoides|L. urticoides]]'')
 
Image:Lantana urticoides.jpg|[[Texas Lantana]]<br/>(''[[Lantana urticoides|L. urticoides]]'')
 +
Image:Lantana camara (noxious weed) II-9458.jpg" ({{flickrimport3|1=111042686|2=27834758@N00|3=petrichor}})
 +
Image:Lantana montevidensis-3003.jpg
 +
Image:Baby bouquets-562.jpg
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Image:One Lantana Bloom-4838.jpg
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Image:Lantana-3175.jpg
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Image:Lantana-9857.jpg
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Image:Yellow lantana-6496.jpg
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Image:Multi-colored lantana flower-9022.jpg
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Image:Green lynx spider on lantana-2774.jpg
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Image:Flowers on the beach-4849.jpg
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Image:Lantana-5552.jpg
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Image:Lantana-5716.jpg
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Image:-6455.jpg
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Image:Lantana-5203.jpg
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Image:Lantana closeup - Orton-4046.jpg
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Image:Isla de la Palma, Canary Islands 1992-9330.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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==Footnotes==
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==References==
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{{Reflist}}
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*{{wplink}}
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881926248  -->
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
 +
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
  
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==References==
+
==External links==
−
{{commonscat}}
 
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* {{aut|Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge, Geo & Libreros Ferla, Dimary}} (2000) Fruits from America - An ethnobotanical inventory: [http://www.ciat.cgiar.org/ipgri/fruits_from_americas/frutales/species%20Lantana.htm ''Lantana'']. Retrieved 2007-NOV-17.
 
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* {{aut|Herzog, F.; Gautier-Béguin, D. & Müller, K.}} (1996): Uncultivated plants for human nutrition in Côte d'Ivoire. ''In:'' {{aut|[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO)}}: ''Domestication and commercialization of non-timber forest products in agroforestry systems''. [http://www.fao.org/docrep/w3735e/w3735e10.htm PDF fulltext]
 
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* {{aut|Pandey, Vikas}} (2007): [http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=124778 Lantana: A friendly weed]. Merinews, 2007-APR-16.
 
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* {{aut|[[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M Research and Extension Center]] (TAMREC)}} (2000): Native Plants of South Texas - [http://uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/lave.htm Velvet Lantana]. Retrieved 2007-NOV-17.
 
  
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[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]

Latest revision as of 19:48, 9 July 2009


Wild-type Spanish Flag Lantana camara


Plant Characteristics
Origin: ✈ [[Origin::tropical Americas, Africa]]
Poisonous: ☠ all parts
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ full sun"full sun" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property.
Water: ◍ moderate
Sunset Zones: 8-10, 12-30*
Scientific Names

Verbenaceae >

Lantana >


Popular garden plant due to the long bloom season, which is year-round in frost-free climates. Light frosts just kill some of the tender growth, while heavy freezes (*Sunset zones 8-10, 14, 29, 30) can seriously damage or kill the plants. In other colder zones, they can be grown as annuals.

L. montevidensis is one of the most popular species, which you'll find at the nurseries, though most are simply sold as "Lantana" or the cultivar name. Branches can trail 3-6 feet (1-2m), with dark green coarsely toothed leaves, which can take on a reddish/purple hue, especially from cold. These come in purple, white, pink, mixes of red/orange/yellow, etc. The variety is also used to create hybrids.

Crushed leaves give off a strong scent that some people don't like.


Read about Lantana in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Lantana (old name, once applied to a viburnum). Verbenaceae. Mostly shrubs or undershrubs, sometimes half-climbing, with opposite or verticillate rough dentate leaves, and spikes or cymes of small verbena-like flowers; one species or group much grown by florists, and a few others sometimes planted.

Plant scabrous, hirsute or pubescent: fls. small, red, orange, white or otherwise, in dense spikes or heads, gamopetalous, the calyx very small, the corolla somewhat irregularly 4-5-parted but not bilabiate, the corolla- tube slender; stamens 4. didynamous, attached midway in the tube, included; ovary 2-loculed, becoming a fleshy or dryish drupe with 2 nutlets: bracts subtending the head often imitate an involucre. Verbena differs in having achene-like nutlets and long-tubular 5 toothed calyx.—Species probably 50, mostly in Trop. and Subtrop. Amer., but also in the Old World. Lantanas have been long in culture, and it is difficult to refer the garden forms to botanical species. The species themselves are confusing. Most of the garden kinds are of the L. Camara type. There are several camara-like species which probably have hybridized to produce these forms; but Voss regards these species as only forms of L. Camara (preferring, however, to use the name L. aculeata). Accepting L. Camara in Voss's sense, the garden lantanas may be said to be derived from that species; and this view is adopted below. In recent years, a strain of very dwarf varieties has become popular as border plants. The lantanas are free-flowering in winter and summer, but an odor of foliage and flowers that is disagreeable to many persons prevents them from popular use as cut-flowers. They are very useful in window-gardens and the dwarf kinds make good subjects for hanging-baskets. From the window they may be transferred to the open in summer, where they bloom profusely.

The culture of the florists' lantana is relatively simple. It is grown under glass for bloom in cold weather and also in the open in summer. It has been improved in its usefulness as a bedding-plant of late years, largely through the efforts of French hybridists. The older varieties were mostly rather tall and lanky, later in coming into bloom, and dropped their flowers badly after rain-storms, but were showy in warm and dry weather. The new varieties are dwarf, spreading and bushy in habit, early and free-flowering, and the heads or umbels of bloom average much larger, with florets in proportion; nor do they drop from the plants as did the old varieties in bad weather. These newer kinds are not so well known as they should be. They are very desirable for any situation where sun-loving bedding plants are used, in groups or borders, window-boxes, baskets and vases. The lantana is not particular as to soil, provided the exposure is sunny, and also that the soil is well supplied with moisture at least until a fair growth has been made. When well established the plants do not seem to mind drought, and continue bright and attractive in the hottest weather. They should not be transplanted out in the open before danger of frost is over. If the old plants are wanted for propagation, cut them back and transfer to pots early in September, and when they start into new growth, the soft wood will furnish cuttings that root easily. Keep young stock in a warm position through the winter months, and repot in April.Save the old plants, after frost has nipped their freshness late in autumn, prune severely back, remove them indoors, giving them a temperature anywhere above 40°, and with a little attention and fresh soil, every plant will be a perfect specimen, covered with blooms in May. Gardeners train them into fine standards, as prim and shapely as need be. Among the French varieties are very dwarf spreading growers, about 8 inches high.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Lantana overgrowing an abandoned plantation.

A hard pruning is very useful in the spring to remove dead wood and prevent woodiness. Requires little or no fertilizing, over fertilizing or water reduces flowering.

Shrub types used like annuals are good in beds, containers, as low hedges or as foundation shrubs.

Spreading types make great groundcover, including on slopes, where they'll work to prevent erosion. These also look good growing over the sides of containers, raised beds, pots, or hanging baskets.

Propagation

Root semi-ripe cuttings in the summer, or plant seeds at 61-64F (16-18C) in the spring.

Pests and diseases

Mildew can be a problem in shade, or during longer periods of overcast weather. Can also be susceptible to whiteflies, spider mites, rust, virus disease, root knot nematodes, stem rot, and leaf spot.

Species

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

Lantana is a genus of about 150 species. This list contains some of the better known species.

Gallery

References

  • w:Lantana. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
  • Lantana QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)
  • Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608

External links

Retrieved from "http://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Lantana&oldid=28560"