Lantana
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- For other uses of the name, see Lantana (disambiguation).
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Lantana_camara.jpg
Lantana is a semi-tropical genus of plant that thrives in hot locations.
Distribution
It is well-suited as a perennial plant in tropical and subtropical environments and an annual plant in temperate climates. In the United States, the plant is now naturalized to the Southeast, especially coastal regions of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and the Gulf Coast. The genus originated in South America.
Flowering and fruiting
Lantana's aromatic flower clusters are a mix of red and orange florets. Other colors exist as new varieties are being created.
Lantana berries are poisonous. Lantana flowers and berries are attractive to insects and birds.
Species
Most of the plants sold as lantana on the market are either Lantana camara, Lantana montevidensis or hybrids between the two.
Lantana camara (also Lantana aculeata or Lantana armata) is the commonest species in the genus. Lots of varieties of this species exist, especially Irene, Christine or Dallas Red (taller and more attractive varieties) and several recently introduced shorter ones. The shorter varieties flower more prolifically than the taller ones. Lantana montevidensis is known in vernacular name as trailing lantana. The species gives blue (or white) flowers all year round. Its foliage is dark green and has a typical odor. In the United States, this species is quite common in Phoenix, Arizona.fr:Lantana