Alien Invader Plants
Izihlahla Zokufika Ezhlaselayo
Uitheemse Probleem Plante

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CONTROL:
Manual: Eradication is laborious and expensive.  Lasso and winch method very effective.
Chemical: Cut Stump best: use Chopper® 300ml/10l water.  Cover bare soil with chopped material if possible.  Foliar Spray: use Roundup® etc. 300ml/10l water.  Causes less disturbance but follow-up is essential with both methods.
Biocontrol: many defoliator insects released but only 6 survive.  Only three have some effect on the plant because there are many cultivars with different genetic characteristics (e.g. flower colour) in RSA.

DESCRIPTION: Square stems with rows of small thorns; thick, rough, pointed leaves that smell strongly when crushed; trumpet shaped flowers borne in clusters which change colour with age; fruits green changing to shiny purple-black when ripe; perennial, much-branched shrub or scrambler. There are 18 cultivars of lantana in KZN differing in flower colour, thorniness, stem colour and leaf texture.  Flowering time: Flowers all year round in moist areas but not in winter in dry or frosted areas.

WHERE FOUND/PROBLEMS CAUSED: Generally thrives in any situation where the vegetation cover has been disturbed.  Various cultivars have different distributions.  Although widespread it occurs mainly in the eastern half of KZN. Originates from South America and was introduced into South Africa via Europe as a garden plant.  First recorded in the Cape in 1858.  Competes with and replaces indigenous vegetation; poisonous and can cause stock losses; reduces carrying capacity of land and access to plantations. Coppices vigorously after being cut down.

DID YOU KNOW: Regarded as of KZN's five worst invader plants and as one of the world's ten worst weeds.  Indigenous Lantana rugosa has purple flowers and berries.

This page was last edited on 23 April, 2006