Lantana, English sage bush
Lantana camara
Family: Verbenaceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub. It grows to 3 m high and spreads to 3 m across but under some conditions can be much more spreading and pose problems. The stem is erect and woody at the base. The stem has 4 angles and prickles which curve backwards. The leaves are small and oval. They are 1.5-8.5 cm long by 0.8-6 cm wide. They have a rough surface. The flowers are pale cream and very small. They are arranged in dense heads which are 2.5 cm across. The fruit are berries which turn black when ripe. The ripe fruit are edible. Various cultivated varieties have been produced with attractive coloured flowers. Some of the orange coloured forms are poisonous to animals.
It can become a serious weed in warm temperate and subtropical climates. It can be invasive. There are about 150 Lantana species. They come from tropical and subtropical America.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It is drought resistant but can be damaged by frost. They need a temperature above 10°C. In Nepal they grow to about 1500 m altitude. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 2,200 m above sea level. It needs a well-drained soil. It can grow in full or part sun. In Tanzania it grows up to 2,000 m above sea level and in areas with a rainfall between 1,100-1,800 mm. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andes, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas (country/location of origin), Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba (country/location of origin), East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico (country/location of origin), Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw. CAUTION: The fruit are reported as poisonous. The plant contains the alkaloid lantanin. The leaves are used for flavouring.
The fruit are eaten especially by children. It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, leaves - tea, root - tea
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or by cuttings. It can be grown as a hedge.
In Tanzania fruit are collected from September to December. The ripe fruit are picked off the bush. In southern India plants flower and fruit April to June. In NE India June to February. A plant can produce 300 g of fruit in a year.
Its other names
Local names
Abelwinyo, Aruppu, Baduwa hara, Banmara, Banphada, Bantulsi, Boesmandruiwe, Caa mara, Camara, Cariaquillo colorado, Chou hua, Cinco negritos, Dieng-sohpang-khlieh, Elatana, Filigrana, Galphusia, Ganda pana, Gangutai, Gangutri, Ghaneri, Imomwa-ajele, Japumato, Jarayan, Jerenga, Jhurmuta, Kaamoni, Kamkung, Kamuni, Kashikothan, Kembang kerasi jambon, Kai puaka, Kembang tembelekan, Kitavisi, Kongini, Lantana daun lebar, Latina, Madhumaalti, Magwagwa, Mainkanda, Mangashetsu, Masino kanda, Maviamkuku, Mbarapati, Meina, Midan dubra, Mjasasa, Morita, Mshomoro, Mucimoro, Mukiti, Mushomoro, Musomolo, Pakakrong, Putus, Radriaka, Red sage bush, Roimboza, Siete negritos, Spreminjevalka, Tantani, Tek-tagwari, Tiundica, Tshidzimbambule, Ubuhobe besukhiwa, Uni, Unnichedi, Wild sage, Yeregna genfo
Synonyms
Lantana aculeata Linn.; Lantana antillana Raf.; Lantana asperata Vis.; Lantana crocea Jacq.; Lantana mexicana Turner; Lantana mixta Medik.; Lanata urticifolia Mill; and others