Family: Verbenaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 627 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lantana
Vegetable: False
Observations: Mexico to Trop. America
Description
The Common lantana, scientifically known as Lantana camara, is a vibrant and versatile shrub cherished in gardens across the globe for its clusters of brightly colored flowers. Originally described by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, this plant has established itself as both an ornamental favorite and an invasive species in various regions.
With origins traced from Mexico to tropical areas of the Americas, Lantana camara belongs to the Verbenaceae family, a group known for its aromatic properties and floriferous members. This hardy shrub typically thrives in warm climates and is renowned for its resilience and ability to flourish in a variety of soil conditions. It is a perennial plant that, under suitable conditions, can grow into a sprawling bush boasting leaves with a rough texture and a strong aroma when crushed.
One of the most striking features of the Common lantana is its flower clusters, which can appear in a stunning assortment of colors ranging from bright yellows and oranges to deep reds and pinks. Not only are these flowers visually appealing, but they also attract a plethora of pollinators, including butterflies and bees, making Lantana camara a valuable addition to any pollinator garden.
Despite its aesthetic appeal, the Common lantana is often regarded with caution due to its invasive potential. In regions such as Australia, parts of Africa, and the Pacific Islands, it has spread rapidly, outcompeting native vegetation and disrupting local ecosystems. Its invasive nature is attributed to its high seed production and dispersion, coupled with its ability to regenerate from cuttings or fallen parts of the plant.
Gardeners and landscape managers value Lantana camara not only for its vivid blooms but also for its low maintenance requirements. This plant is drought-tolerant and can handle a fair amount of neglect once established, making it a popular choice for xeriscaping and areas prone to dry spells.
In addition to its horticultural uses, various cultures have utilized parts of the Common lantana in traditional medicine, though it’s important to note that the plant can be toxic if ingested by humans or animals. Therefore, planting it in areas accessible to young children or pets is generally discouraged.
To summarize, the Common lantana (Lantana camara) is a plant of many faces—admired for its beauty and versatility in landscaping, yet monitored closely for its invasive tendencies in non-native environments. Gardening enthusiasts and ecological planners alike must weigh its ornamental benefits against the ecological risks, ensuring that its cultivation is managed responsibly.
Common Names
Eng: lantana, common lantana, kamara lantana, largeleaf lantana, wild sage, statia sage, black sage, sage, scrubby cup, scrubby tree, wild lantana, yellow sage, shrub verbena, wild sage bush
Heb: lantana sasgonit, לנטנה ססגונית
Msa: tahi ayam
Spa: bandera española, banderas, camarà, espuela de galán, lantana, verbena
Por: camara, cambará, lantana
Ell: lantana
Swe: eldkrona
En: Common lantana, Wild sage, Kamara lantana, Lantana, Hedgeflower, Cherry pie, Ubuhobe besikhiwa, Largeleaf lantana, Kerasi, Mangas, Sirieh-rieh, Statia Sage, Black Sage, Sage, Scrubby Cup, Scrubby Tree, Wild Lantana, Yellow Sage, Shrub verbena, Wild sage bush, Bush Lantana, Shrubverbena, Sweet sage, The indien, West Indian Lantana, Nettleleaf shrubverbena
Ar: لانتانا مقوسة
Bn: লান্টানা
Zh: 馬櫻丹, 马樱丹
Cs: Libora měnivá
Da: Almindelig Ildkrone
Nl: Wisselbloem
Fi: Kirjotulikruunu
Fr: Verveine, Lantana, Queue de chat, Marie crabe, Zerb des putains, Thé indien, Marie _x001E_crabe, Galabert, Corbeil d’or rouge, Corbeille d’or rouge
De: Wandelröschen, Lantane, Wandelroeschen
El: Λαντάνα, Lantana
He: לנטנה ססגונית, Lantana sasgonit
Hu: Sétányrózsa
Id: Saliara
Kn: ಲಂಟಾನ
Rw: Umuhengeli
Ms: Pokok Bunga Tahi Ayam, Tahi ayam
Ml: ലന്റാന കമാര
Ne: गन्हाउने काँडा
No: Vandreblom, Vandreblomst
Or: ନାଗ ଐରି
Fa: شاهپسند درختچهای
Pt: Camara, Cambará, Lantana
Ru: Лантана сводчатая
Sn: Mbarapati
Si: ගඳපාන
Es: Bandera española, Banderas, Camarà, Espuela de galán, Lantana, Verbena, Cariaquillo, Supirrosa, Cámara, Flor española, Cinco Negritos, Cuasquite, Flores de Muerto, Jaral, Mora de Caballo, Rompe Tetas, Soterré, Uvita
Su: Saliara
Sv: Eldkrona
Tl: Kantutay
Zh-tw: 馬櫻丹
Ta: உண்ணிச்செடி
Te: తలంబ్రాలు చెట్టు
Th: ผกากรอง
To: Talatala
Zh-hant: 馬櫻丹
Vi: Bông ổi
Synonyms
- Camara vulgaris (Benth.)
Distribution
- Aruba (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Gilbert Is. (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
- Phoenix Is. (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Nov 25, 2016 by Fernando Nando (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 12, 2020 by Monica Gutiérrez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 28, 2019 by Mario Lopez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2018 by Michael GONZALEZ LOPEZ (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2017 by Erin McIvor (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 17, 2018 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 15, 2016 by Maria Jose Contreras (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Charlesjsharp (cc-by)
Taken Oct 5, 2019 by david le nay (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 15, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Nov 21, 2021 by pawel b (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 15, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 15, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 9, 2019 by Jankes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Dec 5, 2017 by Gomes Joel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2017 by ivo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2018 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 26, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 8, 2020 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Juniper Hurricane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2019 by Castle Castle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 5, 2018 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2019 by Castle Castle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Léo Drevet (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925303)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:325686-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lantana camara L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Shrub, Vine