# creeping lantana (*Lantana montevidensis*) Creeping lantana is a colorful plant that grows close to the ground. It has bright flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making gardens look cheerful and lively! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![creeping lantana](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lantana_montevidensis_01.JPG&width=800) Photo: Prenn, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lantana_montevidensis_01.JPG) ## Appearance The creeping lantana has trailing stems forming dense mats of foliage. Its small, tubular flowers appear in flattened clusters, typically vibrant purple, sometimes with white or yellow centers, creating a colorful carpet. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Verbenaceae - **Genus:** Lantana ## Interesting facts - Despite its beauty, this plant is listed as an invasive weed in many warm parts of the world. - Each 'flower' is actually a cluster of many tiny, individual blooms, attracting more pollinators. - Its small, round fruits change from green to dark purple when ripe, signaling they are ready for dispersal! - Rubbing its leaves releases a distinct, strong scent, often described as citrusy or peppery. ## Special abilities - **Ground Hugger:** Creeping lantana can spread its stems widely and root as it grows, helping it quickly cover large areas and outcompete other plants. - **Toxin Shield:** Creeping lantana has toxic compounds in its leaves and berries, protecting it from being eaten by many animals. - **Sun Seeker:** Creeping lantana can thrive in full sun and tolerate drought conditions, allowing it to grow in tough, open environments. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 50-200 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Year-round in tropical/subtropical climates - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar from its many small flowers - **Eaten by:** [Cattle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cattle) (*Bos taurus*) — can be poisoned if they ingest leaves or berries - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — disperses seeds by eating its berries - **Depends on:** [Oleander aphid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander-aphid) (*Aphis nerii*) — feeds on sap from its stems and leaves ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low While the flowers are pretty, it's best to look and not touch, as some parts can be harmful if eaten. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify creeping lantana? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is creeping lantana? 10-30 cm ### How wide does creeping lantana spread? 50-200 cm ### How big are the flowers on creeping lantana? 0.5-1 cm ### When does creeping lantana bloom? Year-round in tropical/subtropical climates ### Is creeping lantana edible? No ### Is creeping lantana toxic? Moderate ### What is creeping lantana's lifecycle? Perennial ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Creeping Lantana: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-lantana)