Common name: Lantana • Manipuri: সম্বল লৈ Samballei, Nongballei, থীরৈ Thirei • Hindi: Raimuniya राईमुनिया • Tamil: உன்னிச்செடி Unnichedi • Marathi: Tantani तणतणी, Ghaneri घाणेरी • Kannada: Kakke, Natahu • Telugu: Pulikampa
Botanical name: Lantana camara var. aculeata Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena family)
Common lantana is a rugged evergreen shrub from the tropics. The species will
grow to 6 ft high and may spread to 8 ft in width with some
varieties able to clamber vinelike up supports to greater heights with the
help of support. The leaves are 2-5 in long by 1-2 in
wide with rounded tooth edges and a textured surface. Stems and leaves are
covered with rough hairs and emit an unpleasant aroma when crushed.
The small flowers are held in clusters (called umbels) that are
typically 1-2 in across. Flower color ranges from white to
yellow, orange to red, pink to rose in unlimited combinations, in addition the
flowers usually change in color as they age. A lantana may look orange from a
distance but the flowerhead is examined at close range it consists of
individual white, yellow and red flowers that blend when viewed from afar.
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