What are the medicinal uses of lantana?
According to a published medical review on medicinal properties of lantana, its leaves are used for treating malaria, chickenpox, asthma, ulcer, swelling, eczema, tumour, high blood pressure, bilious fever, sores, measles, fevers, colds and high blood pressure.
Medicinal value
Studies conducted in India have found that Lantana leaves can display antimicrobial, fungicidal and insecticidal properties. L. camara has also been used in traditional herbal medicines for treating a variety of ailments, including cancer, skin itches, leprosy, chicken pox, measles, asthma and ulcers.
There is no doubt that green Lantana camara berries have killed children and sickened adults. Conversely, a mild tea made from the leaf is still used in the Caribbean Islands to ease cold symptoms. The ripe berries are used to make jam, jellies, pies and cordials in Ecuador.
The plant extracts has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of cancers, chicken pox, measles, asthma, ulcers, swellings, eczema, tumors, high blood pressure, bilious fevers, catarrhal infections, tetanus, rheumatism and malaria.
All lantana should be treated as poisonous to stock. Red flowered varieties are thought to be the most toxic but some white and pink flowered varieties can also be highly toxic. Most lantana poisoning occurs when stock unfamiliar with the plant are introduced to areas where lantana is found.
It forms dense thickets that smother and kill native vegetation and are impenetrable to animals, people and vehicles. Research indicates more than 1400 native species are negatively affected by lantana invasion, including many endangered and threatened species.
While the entire plant of the lantana is poisonous, the berries are the most toxic. Not all lantana plants have berries, but those that do are dark blue (almost black) and very small (1/4 inch) that are grouped in small clusters.
Only the dark bluish-black Lantana berries are safe for consumption, and may be eaten out of hand or made into jams and jellies. When crushed, whey leave a deep inky stain which may be used to create a light purple dye.
Lantana camara is used in herbal medicine for the treatment of skin itches, as an antiseptic for wounds, and externally for leprosy and scabies.
The Lantana Camara is a flowering plant that can attract butterflies and hummingbirds while giving off a mosquito-repelling scent. These insect-repelling plants thrive in sunny locations such as backyard gardens or south-facing windowsills.
Can humans eat lantana berries?
Yes, all parts of the lantana plant are toxic and poisonous.
Gardeners enjoy lantana for its relative ease of growth and wide variety of blooming colors. Those who want to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to their garden spaces may plant lantanas throughout the landscape.
Miscellaneous: Though often called Red, Yellow or Wild Sage, Lantana camara is not related to sage, that is in the Lamiaceae genus.
Like poison ivy, all parts of the plant are poisonous, but it is the dark bluish/black and green berries which typically cause problems. They are quite attractive and highly toxic to children, horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, and other mammals; although, birds seem to be able to eat them without ill effect.
Use of lantana oil in treatment of skin itches and as an antiseptic for wounds and externally for leprosy and scabies is also reported.
Mysterious Green Pods – Check your plant carefully for small green pods. These are the young seeds of the lantana plant. Once the plant has begun forming seeds, it has no reason to continue blooming since it accomplished its sole mission in life. Cut off the pods to stimulate new flowering.
Is Lantana poisonous to touch? Yes, the leaves of the lantana plant can cause skin irritation.
The hairs on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis (usually minor skin irritation) in some people. The berries are poisonous to people and animals. The University of North Carolina has a complete description of Lantana and a key to the poisonous plants of North Carolina.
What Makes Lantana Toxic to Pets? All parts of Lantana, including leaves, flowers, and especially the unripe berries, contain a toxin called pentacyclic triterpenoids. This substance, in small volumes, causes stomach upset. In larger volumes, it will damage the liver and result in an accumulation in phylloerythrin.
The hairs on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis and minor skin irritation.
Can lantana survive in the house?
Growing indoors
Since lantanas are perennials, they can be brought inside and used as house plants in the winter. But this is not the best way to overwinter plants due to the limited daylight in the winter. It is better to allow the plant to go dormant for several months.
Lantana is a tough-as-nails plant with bright flowers all summer long. Pollinators adore it, but deer don't like its somewhat prickly texture.
If lantana forms black berries, part of your lantana care routine should be removing them before they mature. Pruning lantana after a strong flush of flowering prevents berries from forming on non-sterile plants. This is especially important if you're growing Lantana camara or other invasive types.
Several species of aphids feed on lantana. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects about 1⁄25 to 1⁄8 inch long with relatively short legs and antennae.
Lantana (Lantana camara) All parts of this invasive shrub are poisonous, especially the leaves and green berries. This plant can be fatal to children, dogs and horses.
Plants such as Gopher Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) and Marigolds can be repellent. Others such as the following are particularly resistant: Geranium (Pelargonium), Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lantana, Rosemary, Garlic and Society Garlic, Mexican Bush Sage, Daffodils, Naked ladies, Foxglove and numerous others.
Lantana has a rich history of being utilized in the garden for long-lasting, colorful blooms, superior heat tolerance and the ability to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
To collect the seeds, harvest the small black berries when they are fully ripe and remove the seeds from the berries. Clean the seeds and allow them to dry for a couple of days before storing them in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Lantana. A favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds alike, lantana offers colorful red, yellow, orange, pink, lavender, or white flowers. These heat-loving, drought-resistant plants will fit well in sunny spots in your garden.
Since Lantanas aren't frost-tolerant, colder climates will kill them. If planted outside, your Lantana will thrive as a short-lived perennial, meaning it will last 2-5 years. With extra care, they can survive as tender perennials and last up to 10 years!
What does lantana symbolize?
Lantana flowers symbolize rigor and rigidity. However, they offer dazzling blossoms, playful colors, lush foliage, and attract pollinators into the garden, making them, in actuality, anything but severe.
Lantana camara, commonly called lantana or shrub verbena, is native to Central and South America. It is an upright frost-tender shrub that grows 3-6' tall.
Lantana camara (Common Lantana, Lantana, Red Sage, Shrub Verbena, Yellow Sage) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
Lantana 'Irene' bears bright yellow, pink, and red florets in large clusters on a spreading plant.
Lantanas are multicolored flowers that are full of nectar, and as such, are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
The leaves and seeds are toxic. Leaves are used to make tea.
Prune perennial lantanas back hard in spring (March) to remove old growth and prevent woodiness. Cut back to about 6 to 12 inches from ground level. Avoid hard pruning in fall as this can cause reduced cold hardiness.
The lantana lace bug feeds primarily on lantana but occasionally infests other plants such as sesame. On Lantana, the lace bug feeds on the undersurface of the leaves and even feeds on newly opened buds and flowers.
The symbolic meaning of the lantana flower is generally associated with rigor, the element of Fire, masculine energy, and planetary rule of Sun & Mars.
The Meaning, Symbolism, and Cultural Significance of Lantana Flowers. Common lantana symbolizes rigor, and rigor can mean several different things depending on which of its definitions you take. These meanings include being accurate, thorough, or exhaustive. It can mean being demanding or difficult.
What does lantana repel?
The repellent effect of Lantana camara flowers was evaluated against Aedes mosquitoes. Lantana flower extract in coconut oil provided 94.5% protection from Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti. The mean protection time was 1.9 h.
Mysterious Green Pods – Check your plant carefully for small green pods. These are the young seeds of the lantana plant. Once the plant has begun forming seeds, it has no reason to continue blooming since it accomplished its sole mission in life. Cut off the pods to stimulate new flowering.
The green balls on lantana are the seed pods, which will eventually mature to a deep, purplish-black color when fully ripe. Pick the pods when they are fully ripe and the skin is slightly wrinkled.
Lantana is valued for its long season of reliable bloom. Many cultivars display multiple colors within each two-inch wide disc-shaped flower head. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Foliage is coarse, lightly toothed and rough to the touch.
Lantana (Lantana camara) All parts of this invasive shrub are poisonous, especially the leaves and green berries. This plant can be fatal to children, dogs and horses.
Butterfly Heaven
Lantana is a must-have for creating a pollinator haven. These plants are REALLY attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds on so many levels: sweet nectar for food, attractive scent, bright color, and the overall flower form (it's a literal landing pad!).
Is Lantana poisonous to touch? Yes, the leaves of the lantana plant can cause skin irritation.
The Lantana Camara is a flowering plant that can attract butterflies and hummingbirds while giving off a mosquito-repelling scent. These insect-repelling plants thrive in sunny locations such as backyard gardens or south-facing windowsills.
So in essence, lantana can stall the successional process of regrowing forests and dominate the understorey of disturbed forests, especially if the canopy has been opened up through activities such as logging. Combined, these impacts can lead to a reduction in biodiversity.
The plants should be deadheaded to encourage continuous bloom. You can clip the individual faded flowers, or trim the whole plant with hedge clippers. Lantana is a good choice for hot, dry areas. Lantana can be grown from seed or cuttings.