Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2925314

Creeping Lantana

Lantana montevidensis

Also known as Trailing Lantana, Weeping Lantana, Purple Lantana, Trailing Shrubverbena

Creeping lantana carpets sunny landscapes with low-growing, trailing branches and dense heads of pale purple flowers featuring tiny white or yellow centers. Its rough, dark green foliage releases a strong, pungent aroma when bruised or crushed. Highly resilient against heat and drought, this groundcover roots wherever creeping stems touch soil, forming expansive mats that outcompete neighboring vegetation.

GroundcoverFloweringDrought-Tolerant
Creeping Lantana reference1 / 6
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—observations
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic
Predators
  • Lantana Lace Bug
  • Lantana Seedfly
  • Defoliating Caterpillars
ThreatsHerbicide spraying and manual removal efforts in areas where it becomes invasive
HabitatsDry scrublands, coastal banks, roadsides, disturbed areas, gardens
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyVerbenaceae
  3. GenusLantana
  4. SpeciesLantana montevidensis
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
Toxic if ingested; leaves and berries cause severe liver toxicity in pets and livestock.
Why it is dangerous
Contains triterpenoids such as lantadene A, which cause acute liver failure, severe jaundice, and photosensitization in mammals if consumed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by its trailing stems, sandpaper-textured aromatic leaves, and small flat-topped clusters of lavender-purple flowers.
What to do
Keep grazing animals and curious pets away from plants, and never consume wild berries.
Responsible observation
  • Containment: Trim trailing branches regularly to prevent stems from rooting beyond garden boundaries.
  • Pollinator Observation: Watch flower clusters on warm afternoons for visiting swallowtails and bees.
  • Protective Gear: Wear gardening gloves when handling foliage to avoid potential sap irritation.
Related species
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