This little flower is native to Central and South America (Tropics). There are more than a 150 species of Lantana and it is part of the Verbena family.
This small perennial fast spreading shrub can reach a height of up to 2m and even higher, it is used mostly as a hedge because of its formation of dense thickets with four-angled thorn covered stems. The Lantana is seen as one of the worst weeds in the world and an invasive plant in South Africa because it competes and replace indigenous species, effecting the natural ecosystem.
The flowers have a tutti frutti smell with four petals each, they are tubular shaped and arranged in cluster with multiple colours (red, orange, yellow, pink and white) in each head. The colours of the flowers change after pollination and is dependent on their age and location.
The leaves are oval, serrated, simple, dark green and hairy, it gives off an odour when crushed.
The berry like fruit are light green and turn black when ripe and over 10 000 of them are produced by each plant. The Lantana spreads via seed dispersal.
This plant can survive most climates and conditions, it is also quite fire resistant.
Lantana is toxic to humans and livestock, causing liver damage. The leaves though are used in India in traditional medicines for treating cancer, chicken pox and measles.
