Mysore lantana
Lantana indica

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It is erect and branched. It grows 1-2.5 m tall. The leaves are opposite or can be in rings of 3. They are oval and 3-6 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are rounded teeth along the edge. They are softly hairy underneath. The flowers are in short spikes 2-3 cm long. The flowers are white or pink and 3-5 mm across. The fruit is fleshy and 3-5 mm across. They are purple. They have a 2-celled stone with one seed in each.

There are about 150 Lantana species. They come from tropical and subtropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

In India fruit are available November to January.

Its other names

Local names

Arippu, Ghaneri, Ghanidalia, Kharenti, Kuzhaloothipalam, Se-hnit-yathi, Unni

Synonyms

Lantana collina Decne.; Lantana latifolia Tausch; Lantana rubra Perr. [Invalid]; Lantana scabra Wall. [Invalid];