# Lantana

Lantanas are colorful flowers that attract butterflies and bees with their sweet nectar. They bloom in vibrant shades of pink, orange, yellow, and purple, brightening up gardens and meadows.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 5
- **Habitat:** Gardens, Meadows
- **Also known as:** Spanish Flag, Tickberry, Wild Sage

![Lantana](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lantana_trifolia_%2811627892105%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lantana_trifolia_%2811627892105%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Lantana has rough, dark green leaves and small, vibrant flowers that grow in dense, round clusters. These clusters often display multiple colors, like yellow, orange, red, and pink, creating a dazzling, multi-toned effect as they mature.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Magnoliophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Verbenaceae
- **Genus:** Lantana

## Interesting facts

- Did you know the berries look like tasty treats, but they are actually poisonous!
- In some warm countries, Lantana grows so fast it can take over huge areas!
- Rubbing Lantana leaves can release a strong, unique, and sometimes spicy scent!
- Some Lantana species were traditionally used by people for herbal remedies long ago.

## Special abilities

- **Color-Changing Blooms:** Lantana's flowers can change color as they age, helping pollinators identify which blooms have the most nectar.
- **Drought Survivor:** Lantana can thrive in dry conditions thanks to its tough root system, needing little water to flourish.
- **Pollinator Magnet:** Lantana produces abundant nectar and bright, showy flowers that act like a beacon for butterflies and bees.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-180 cm
- **Spread:** 30-200 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Year-round in tropical climates; spring to fall in temperate zones
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Moderate
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Attracted by nectar for food.
- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits many flowers for pollen and nectar.
- **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Trochilus colubris*) — Feeds on nectar from tubular flowers.

## Traits

- [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy the beauty of lantanas from a safe distance and avoid touching them without adult supervision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lantana?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Lantana?

30-180 cm

### How wide does Lantana spread?

30-200 cm

### How big are the flowers on Lantana?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Lantana bloom?

Year-round in tropical climates; spring to fall in temperate zones

### Is Lantana edible?

No

### Is Lantana toxic?

Moderate

### What is Lantana's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden
- [Texas State Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/texas-state-aquarium) — Texas, US · Zoo
- [Grove Hill Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grove-hill-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District
- [Old Fessenden Academy Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-fessenden-academy-historic-district) — Florida, US · Campus
- [South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-texas-botanical-gardens-and-nature-center) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden
- [Doctor I. Sylvester Hankins Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/doctor-i-sylvester-hankins-park) — Florida, US · Park

[View all places to see Lantana](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lantana)

## 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*)

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Source: [Lantana: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lantana)