LantanaLantana Lantana camara Lantana camara (L.) Verbenaceae(L.) Verbenaceae

BiologyBiology• Native to West Indies and AfricaNative to West Indies and Africa

• Hundreds of cultivars developed Hundreds of cultivars developed

• Worldwide distribution – Americas, Worldwide distribution – Americas, EuropeEurope

• Serious pest in Australia, New Zealand Serious pest in Australia, New Zealand and Indiaand India

BiologyBiology• Stems used for paper pulp

• Bark used as an astringent and lotion in leprous ulcers & other skin eruptions

• Leaves boiled and applied for swellings and pain

• Alkaloids from the plant can be used to lower blood pressure

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses• Cultivated Cultivated

extensively as an extensively as an landscape landscape speciesspecies

• Showy flowersShowy flowers• Also used as a Also used as a

hedge hedge

DistributionDistribution• Found throughout much of FloridaFound throughout much of Florida

• Commonly found along roadways and Commonly found along roadways and disturbed areas, forest edges, pasturesdisturbed areas, forest edges, pastures

• Frequently found in abandoned citrus Frequently found in abandoned citrus grovesgroves

• Isolated infestations in other areas Isolated infestations in other areas including Georgia, Texas, California and including Georgia, Texas, California and HawaiiHawaii

Lantana Distribution in FloridaLantana Distribution in Florida

ImpactsImpacts• Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)

• Decreases productivity in pasturesDecreases productivity in pastures

• Toxic to cattle and other grazing animalsToxic to cattle and other grazing animals

• Allelopathic – inhibits growth of other Allelopathic – inhibits growth of other plants thru exudation of chemicalsplants thru exudation of chemicals

• Invades natural areas, outcompetes Invades natural areas, outcompetes native speciesnative species

• Readily hybridize with native Lantana Readily hybridize with native Lantana

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Perennial shrub, Perennial shrub,

can be erect can be erect growing or growing or prostrateprostrate

• Often highly Often highly branched, branched, creating a dense creating a dense hedgehedge

LeavesLeaves• Oppositely arrangedOppositely arranged

• Ovate shape with Ovate shape with serrate marginsserrate margins

• Aromatic when Aromatic when crushedcrushed

• Rough, sandpaper-Rough, sandpaper-like texturelike texture

Flowers and FruitFlowers and Fruit• Flowering occurs Flowering occurs

year-roundyear-round• Borne in clusters Borne in clusters

at tip of stemat tip of stem• Change color Change color

after pollinationafter pollination• Fruit are small Fruit are small

and dark purpleand dark purple

SeedSeed• Prolific seed producer• 12,000 fruits per plant• Seed germination is

normally low• Dispersal via birds

and other animals• Passage through

animal digestive system increases germination rate

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

3.3. Rouge out plants in abandoned areasRouge out plants in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace lantanareplace lantana

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with lantanalantana

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1. Several under consideration in Florida, but

release is controversial due to landscape popularity

2. 20+ biocontrol agents released In Hawaii with varying results

3. Most effective agents are: Defoliating caterpillar Hypena strigata Seed-destroying fly Ophiomyia lantanae Lace bug Teleonemia scrupulosa

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsall roots, repeated pulling for resprouts

2.2. Mowing is effective, but must be Mowing is effective, but must be repeatedrepeated

3.3. Heavy equipment such as bulldozers Heavy equipment such as bulldozers or stickraking is effective, especially if or stickraking is effective, especially if coupled with fire – retreatment neededcoupled with fire – retreatment needed

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Broadcast applications for large areasBroadcast applications for large areas

Glyphosate is only marginally effectiveGlyphosate is only marginally effective Fluroxypyr + aminopyralid good, but Fluroxypyr + aminopyralid good, but

need to be repeated after 6 monthsneed to be repeated after 6 months

2.2. Spot treatment for smaller areasSpot treatment for smaller areas Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solutionGlyphosate – 2 to 3% solution Imazapyr – 0.5 to 1% solutionImazapyr – 0.5 to 1% solution

3.3. Use surfactant at 0.25%Use surfactant at 0.25%

Chemical - BasalChemical - Basal1.1. Individual plants, near desirable speciesIndividual plants, near desirable species

2.2. Use 25% fluroxypyr or 10% imazapyr Use 25% fluroxypyr or 10% imazapyr solution with basal oilsolution with basal oil

3.3. Wet stems thoroughly for good control, Wet stems thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at spray until run-off is noticeable at ground ground

4.4. Mowing and applying to cut stems is Mowing and applying to cut stems is most cost-effectivemost cost-effective

Useful LinksUseful Links• Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Pacific

Island Ecosystems at Risk: http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• Lantana camara (Fankatavinakoho, Fotatra,

lantana, Mandadrieko, Rajejeka, Radredreka, Ramity) (in press) In Goodman S.M. and J.P. Benstead (Eds) The natural history of Madagascar. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/mad-lanta.RTF

• Mount Morgan Council Homepage: http://www.mountmorgan.com/lantana.html

Literature CitedLiterature Cited• Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock

Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.