Fauna
Plant

Common Lantana

Lantana camara

Also known as Wild Sage, Yellow Sage, Shrub Verbena, Red Sage

Common lantana forms dense, aromatic thickets crowned with flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers that shift color from yellow to orange and red as they age. Butterflies and bees flock to the nectar-rich blooms, unwittingly helping disperse a plant that easily displaces native understory vegetation. The rough leaves emit a strong, pungent odor when crushed and contain toxic compounds that deter grazing mammals.

FloweringInvasiveToxic
Common Lantana reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • Lantana Lace Bug
  • Lantana Seed Fly
ThreatsHerbicides, biological control insects, physical removal
HabitatsTropical forest margins, pastures, roadsides, disturbed land
Life spanPerennial (up to 20 years)
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyVerbenaceae
  3. GenusLantana
  4. SpeciesLantana camara
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Leaves and unripe berries are toxic to humans and pets; contact may irritate sensitive skin.
Why it is dangerous
Contains triterpenoid toxins such as lantadene A, which cause liver damage and photosensitization in livestock, pets, and children if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for square stems with recurved prickles and aromatic, sandpaper-textured leaves paired with vibrant multicolored flower clusters.
What to do
Wear gloves when pruning to avoid contact dermatitis, and prevent children or pets from chewing any plant parts.
Responsible observation
  • Gardening: Cultivate sterile, non-invasive hybrids to avoid spreading seeds into natural habitats.
  • Observation: Watch the flower heads closely to spot tiny color changes signaling nectar availability.
  • Pruning: Wear long sleeves and protective gloves to shield skin from prickly stems and irritating sap.
Related species
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