Verbenaceae

Lantana camara

Common Names: Common lantana

Plant Form: Branching scrambling shrub forming thickets. Size: Up to 15 m tall. Stem: Square-ish shaped when young turning cylindrical and thick with age. With many curved spikes. Leaves: Egg shaped in opposite pairs 4-10 cm long with toothed edges. Flowers: Dense circular clusters of 20-40, brightly coloured pink, red, orange, or white. Fruit and Seeds: Berries, green then purple or black when ripe, with 1-2 seeds. Habitat: Gullies, riparian areas, disturbed areas, fencelines. Distinguishing Features: Thicket forming upright habit distinguishes from Creeping Lantana (Lantana montevidensis). Impacts: Forms dense thickets excluding native species and grazing. Toxic and increases fire risk.

Flowers in heads

Small black berries

Flowers mostly pink or red

Clumps in open country

Scrambling thickes in forests

Leaves have short, stiff hairs