Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Leaves - tea, Root - tea
An evergreen shrub. It grows to 3 m high and spreads to 3 m across but under some conditions can be much more spreading and pose problems. The stem is erect and woody at the base. The stem has 4 angles and prickles which curve backwards. The leaves are small and oval. They are 1.5-8.5 cm long by 0.8-6 cm wide. They have a rough surface. The flowers are pale cream and very small. They are arranged in dense heads which are 2.5 cm across. The fruit are berries which turn black when ripe. The ripe fruit are edible. Various cultivated varieties have been produced with attractive coloured flowers. Some of the orange coloured forms are poisonous to animals.
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It is drought resistant but can be damaged by frost. They need a temperature above 10°C. In Nepal they grow to about 1500 m altitude. In PNG it grows from sea level to 2,200 m above sea level. It needs a well-drained soil. It can grow in full or part sun. In Tanzania it grows up to 2,000 m above sea level and in areas with a rainfall between 1,100-1,800 mm. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Yunnan.
Common Names: Abelwinyo, Aruppu, Baduwa hara, Banmara, Banphada, Bantulsi, Boesmandruiwe, Caa mara, Camara, Cariaquillo colorado, Chou hua, Cinco negritos, Dieng-sohpang-khlieh, Elatana, Filigrana, Galphusia, Ganda pana, Gangutai, Gangutri, Ghaneri, Imomwa-ajele, Japumato, Jarayan, Jerenga, Jhurmuta, Kaamoni, Kamkung, Kamuni, Kashikothan, Kembang kerasi jambon, Kai puaka, Kembang tembelekan, Kitavisi, Kongini, Lantana daun lebar, Latina, Madhumaalti, Magwagwa, Mainkanda, Mangashetsu, Masino kanda, Maviamkuku, Mbarapati, Meina, Midan dubra, Mjasasa, Morita, Mshomoro, Mucimoro, Mukiti, Mushomoro, Musomolo, Pakakrong, Putus, Radriaka, Red sage bush, Roimboza, Siete negritos, Spreminjevalka, Tantani, Tek-tagwari, Tiundica, Tshidzimbambule, Ubuhobe besukhiwa, Uni, Unnichedi, Wild sage, Yeregna genfo
Synonyms:
Lantana aculeata Linn.;
Lantana antillana Raf.;
Lantana asperata Vis.;
Lantana crocea Jacq.;
Lantana mexicana Turner;
Lantana mixta Medik.;
Lanata urticifolia Mill;
and others