A native from the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central and South America, lantana (Lantana camara) is a heavily-branched shrub that can grow as compact clumps, dense thickets and as scrambling and climbing vines.
Lantana is a Class 3 declared plant under Queensland legislation and a Weed of National Significance (WONS).
Scientific name
Lantana camara
Impacts
forms dense thickets that smother native vegetation
thickets are impenetrable for animals, people and vehicles
is spread mostly by people and fruit-eating birds
poisonous to stock
Description
stems are square with small, recurved prickles
leaves are bright green, about 6 cm long, with roundtoothed edges and grow opposite one another along the stem
flowers vary in colour from pale cream to yellow, white, pink, orange, red, lilac and purple, about 2.5 cm in diameter
fruits are glossy, rounded, fleshy, purplish-black when ripe
Habitat and distribution
covers 4 million hectares throughout most coastal and sub-coastal areas of eastern Australia, from North Queensland to southern New South Wales
has spread into the Northern Territory and Western Australia and has the potential to invade Victoria
grows in a wide variety of habitats, from exposed dry hillsides to wet, heavily-shaded gullies
Control
size, density and geographic location of infestations are important considerations before choosing which control methods to use
a combined approach of different control methods including mechanical, chemical, fire and biological with land management practices is most effective
see the lantana fact sheet for further information
Declaration details
a declared Class 3 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
supply or sale prohibited
may require removal from environmentally significant areas
