| Spanish Flag | ||||||||||||||
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 Flowers and leaves | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Lantana camara L. | ||||||||||||||
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| Lantana aculeata Lantana armata |
Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag, is native to tropical regions in Central and South America.[1][2][3] Spanish Flag has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant, it is considered an invasive species in many tropical areas.[4]
Naturalization
Lantana camara has become naturalized in tropical and warm regions worldwide.[5] In the Kenyan highlands it grows in many areas that receive even minimal amounts of rainfall. It can be seen in the wild and along footpaths, deserted fields, and farms.[6] Lantana has been naturalized in the United States, particularly in the Atlantic coastal plains, from Florida to Georgia, where the climate is close to its native climate, with high heat and humidity.[2]
Domestication
Lantana has become popular in gardens, for its hardy nature. It is not affected by pests or disease, has low water requirements, and handles extreme heat. It is a favorite species of butterflies, and used in butterfly gardens in the United States.[2]
Ecological impact
Lantana camara is an invasive species and has covered large areas in India as well as Australia. It colonizes new areas when its seeds are dispersed by birds. Once it reaches an area, Lantana camara spreads quickly. It coppices so well, that efforts to eradicate it have completely failed. It is resistant to fire, and quickly grows in and colonizes burnt areas.[7] It has become a serious obstacle to the natural regeneration of important native species including Sal in Southeast Asia, as well as plants in 22 other countries. In greenhouses, lantana is notorious for attracting whitefly.[5][8]
While considered a pest in Australia, it shelters several native marsupial species from predators, and offers a habitat for the vulnerable Exoneura native bee, which nests in the hollow stems of the plant.
Lantana camara has been reported to make animals ill after ingestion.[5] Its berries are toxic before they become ripe, and can be poisonous to pets as well as livestock. Lantana has been listed as a Category One "Invasive Toxic Species" in Florida by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, and has become a problem in Texas and Hawaii.[8][2]
Other uses
Some communities have found alternate uses for Lantana, as it is difficult to eradicate. Some household furniture, such as tables and chairs are made from the stalks, or the small branches are bundled together to make brooms.[6]
Ornamental
Some Lantana cultivars are ornamentals and these tend to have small herbaceous stems.
See also article Lantana.
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References
- ↑ Efren and Luisa Gonzalez (2007). "Fill your garden with sunshine" (in English). The Western Sun Newspaper. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Floridata LC (2007). "Lantana camara" (in English). Floridata LC. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.
- ↑ Moyhill Publishing (2007). "English vs. Latin Names" (in English). Moyhill Publishing. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.
- ↑ New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (2007). "Lantana - fact sheet" (in English). Department of Environment and Climate Change - NSW. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (2005). "Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council: Lantana camanara" (PDF) (in English). Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Khanna, L. S.; Prakash, R. (1983). Theory and Practice of silvicultural Systems. International Book Distributions. pp. 400 pages.
- ↑ Hiremath, Ankila; Bharath Sundram. (2005). The Fire-Lantana Cycle Hypothesis in Indian Forests. Conservation and Society. http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/archive/00002445/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (2005). "Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council: List of Invasive Species" (in English). Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.