Lantana camara

Lantana camara Latest News

A silent invasion of Lantana camara is underway in large parts of the world and global warming has made things easier for Lantana, helping it spread faster.

About Lantana camara

• It is an annual or perennial, small, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the verbena family.
• It is an invasive alien plant species.
• Origin: It is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central and South America.
• It is an exotic weed that aggressively proliferates and forms a dense mesh of bushes.
• In India, it was first introduced in the early 18th century as an ornamental plant by the British and since then, it has invaded almost all the tropical areas across the country.

‹ ›

Impact of Lantana camara on Environment

• Lantana grows in a notoriously aggressive way, releasing chemicals into the soil that suppress other vegetation.
• Its leaves, flowers, and berries contain toxins that make them harmful to livestock.
• Its roots dig deep into the soil and spread wide in search of water and nutrients.
• Its timber is used for making furniture and also as fuelwood, etc.
• Its biomass can be used to produce organic compost and vermicompost, which will be better for organic farming.

Source: TH