Lantana

Lantana camara

Lantana

DESCRIPTION

Shrub to 3m that will form a dense thicket along the edges of remnant bushland, and invade open canopies. Weak woody stems are four-angled, rough and prickly. Opposite ovate leaves 2.5-8cm long by 15- 45mm wide, apex acute to obtuse, base rounded, margins serrated, upper surface wrinkled and strigose, lower hairy. Leaves will emit a characteristic smell when crushed. Petioles are 5-20mm long.

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

Clustered pink, orange and yellow flowers in heads 2-3cm wide during summer, but also throughout the year. Purplish-black berries 4-6mm wide are readily dispersed by birds and foxes.

HABITAT AND RANGE

Coastal areas in all Australian states and territories. A native of tropical South America, it provides important habitat for small birds.