The lantana (Lantana camara) with its attractive flowers, which change color from opening to fading, is one of the most popular ornamental plants for the garden and balcony. So that you can identify the plant without any doubt, we have summarized the most important generic characteristics here.
What genus does Lantana belong to?
The lantana (Lantana camara) belongs to the verbena family (Verbenaceae), which includes around 75 genera and 3,000 species. Typical for this family of plants are herbaceous small shrubs with square stems and flowers arranged in racemes.
The lantana – a verbena plant
Vervain family (Latin Verbenaceae) is a large family of plants with around 75 genera and 3,000 species. They are closely related to the mint family. Many popular ornamental trees such as lantana belong to this plant family. They are predominantly native to tropical and southern Africa as well as tropical America.
One of the best-known and largest representatives of this family is the teak tree, which can reach a height of up to fifty meters. A species that has been introduced around the world and is now also thriving here is true verbena. It is a nitrogen indicator in gaps in weed areas and grows wild on paths, walls and fences.
Growth habit
Vervain plants are mostly small, herbaceous shrubs with often square stems. Like lantana, the leaves are arranged oppositely, egg-shaped and solitary. Less commonly, leaves grow in whorls and can then have three parts.
The flowers are racemose like lantana, sometimes arranged in a spike-shaped or zymous manner. Pollination occurs by insects. Lantana also exudes a very characteristic scent that attracts numerous bees and butterflies.
The growth habit of the lantana
The lantana grows up to 100 centimeters tall. The flowering period lasts from June to October. If the flower umbels are not cleaned out regularly, they produce many small, bright black fruits in autumn.
Many verbena plants are poisonous
Wear gloves when working on your lantana and ensure that children and pets cannot accidentally snack on the plant. Like many verbena plants, all parts of the plant, especially the fruits, are highly poisonous.
Tip
The lantana, which is very popular in our latitudes, is a dreaded weed in warmer regions that overgrows huge areas and is difficult to control.
