Lantana Lantana camara
This is a spreading, untidy shrub growing up to 2m or higher. Stems are usually covered with short, stiff hairs and re-curved thorns. The dark green, rough, hairy leaves are paler below and smell strongly when crushed. Pink, red, crimson, orange, yellow or white flowers in compact, flat- topped heads, often with several colours in one head, appear throughout spring and summer. Glossy green fruits turn purplish-black.
This plant is poisonous to humans and animals including cattle, sheep, horses, dogs and goats and is responsible for livestock mortalities amounting to millions of Rands every year in South Africa. It reduces the grazing potential of land and also excretes chemicals which reduce the growth of surrounding plants.
Flowering period: September to April
To eradicate this plant:
Small shrubs can be hand pulled or dug out manually by the roots. For larger plants, cut off low down and paint the freshly cut stump with the correct herbicide to prevent regrowth.For large infestations consider folio spraying with a registered herbicide
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