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| − | :''"Wild lantanas" are plants of the unrelated genus ''[[Abronia (plant)|Abronia]]'', usually called "sand-verbenas".''
| + | {{Plantbox |
| − | {{Taxobox | |
| − | | color = lightgreen
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| | | name = ''Lantana'' | | | name = ''Lantana'' |
| | + | | common_names = Lantana |
| | + | | growth_habit = evergreen shrub |
| | + | | high = <!--- 3ft (1m) --> |
| | + | | wide = <!--- 20in (65cm) --> |
| | + | | origin = tropical [[Americas]], [[Africa]] |
| | + | | poisonous = all parts |
| | + | | lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc --> |
| | + | | exposure = full sun |
| | + | | water = moderate |
| | + | | features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, naturalizes, invasive --> |
| | + | | hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 40F (5C), etc --> |
| | + | | bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for it's flowers --> |
| | + | | usda_zones = <!--- eg. 8-11 --> |
| | + | | sunset_zones = 8-10, 12-30* |
| | + | | 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]]'' |
| − | | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | + | | regnum = Plantae |
| − | | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | + | | divisio = Magnoliophyta |
| − | | classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]] | + | | classis = Magnoliopsida |
| − | | ordo = [[Lamiales]] | + | | ordo = Lamiales |
| − | | familia = [[Verbenaceae]] | + | | familia = Verbenaceae |
| − | | genus = '''''Lantana''''' | + | | genus = Lantana |
| − | | 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'''. | + | ''[[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.
| + | Crushed leaves give off a strong scent that some people don't like. |
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| − | ==Ecology== | + | ==Cultivation== |
| − | [[Image:Lantana Invasion of abandoned citrus plantation Sdey Hemed Israel.JPG|thumb|left|240px|''Lantana'' overgrowing an abandoned plantation in [[Sdey Hemed]] ([[Israel]])]]
| + | {{monthbox |
| − | 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}}
| + | | color = IndianRed |
| | + | | name = Lantana |
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| | + | 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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| − | 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}}
| + | Shrub types used like annuals are good in beds, containers, as low hedges or as foundation shrubs. |
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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]].
| + | 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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| − | 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.
| + | ===Propagation=== |
| | + | Root semi-ripe [[cuttings]] in the summer, or plant seeds at 61-64F (16-18C) in the spring. |
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| | + | ===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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| − | 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.
| + | ==Species== |
| | + | Lantana is a genus of about 150 species. This list contains some of the better known species. |
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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]].
| + | * ''[[Lantana camara]]'' (syn. ''L. aculeata'', ''L. armata'') – Spanish Flag) |
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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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| − | ===Use by humans===
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| − | [[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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| − | 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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| − | 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'') – Spanish Flag, ''bahô-bahô; utot-utot; koronitas; kantutay'' ([[Philippines]]) | |
| | * ''[[Lantana involucrata]]'' | | * ''[[Lantana involucrata]]'' |
| | ** ''Lantana involucrata'' var. ''socorrensis'' | | ** ''Lantana involucrata'' var. ''socorrensis'' |
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| | </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| − | ==Footnotes== | + | ==References== |
| − | {{Reflist}} | + | *{{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]] | + | {{stub}} |
| | + | [[Category:Categorize]] |
