Lantana trifolia

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Lantana

  Species:

  trifolia

  Family:

  Verbenaceae

  Uses (Ethnobotany):

  Crushed leaves are made into a tea and used to treat rheumatism, generalized body pains and indigestion. The leaves are also used to treat colds and ringworm. The roots are used to treat eczema. Stems, wood is used as fuel and for making brooms.

  Life Cycle:

  Annual

  Perennial

  Recommended Propagation Strategy:

  Seed

  Stem Cutting

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America

  Wildlife Value:

  Nectar producing flowers attract pollinators, especially butterflies. Berries are a food source for songbirds.

  Play Value:

  Attractive Flowers

  Attracts Pollinators

  Wildlife Cover/Habitat

  Edibility:

  Fully ripe (deep blue or black) berries are reported to be edible.

  Dimensions:

  Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.

  Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Annual

  Perennial

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Broadleaf Evergreen

  Habit/Form:

  Erect

  Spreading

  Growth Rate:

  Rapid

  Maintenance:

  Medium

  Texture:

  Coarse

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

  Soil Texture:

  Clay

  Loam (Silt)

  Sand

  Soil pH:

  Neutral (6.0-8.0)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Moist

  Available Space To Plant:

  12 inches-3 feet

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Black

  Blue

  Purple/Lavender

  Fruit Value To Gardener:

  Showy

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Fall

  Fruit Type:

  Drupe

  Fruit Length:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Width:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Description:

  elongated popcorn-like spikes of lavender fruits

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Pink

  Purple/Lavender

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Umbel

  Flower Value To Gardener:

  Showy

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Fall

  Spring

  Summer

  Flower Shape:

  Dome

  Flower Petals:

  4-5 petals/rays

  Flower Size:

  1-3 inches

  Flower Description:

  Up to 2-inch flattened clusters of small 5-petaled lavender flowers

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Broadleaf Evergreen

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Leaf Feel:

  Rough

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Whorled

  Leaf Shape:

  Lanceolate

  Oblong

  Leaf Margin:

  Serrate

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  3-6 inches

  Leaf Width:

  1-3 inches

  Leaf Description:

  Dark green leaves are up to 4 inches long, rough-textured with serrated margins that grow in whorls of 3.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Container

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Cottage Garden

  Cutting Garden

  Drought Tolerant Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Design Feature:

  Border

  Attracts:

  Bees

  Butterflies

  Hummingbirds

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Drought

  Poor Soil

  Problems:

  Contact Dermatitis

  Poisonous to Humans

  Problem for Cats

  Problem for Children

  Problem for Dogs

  Problem for Horses

• Poisonous to Humans:

  Poison Severity:

  Medium

  Poison Symptoms:

  Humans and animals may have allergic reactions if this plant is consumed or by coming into contact with sap from bruised or broken plant parts.

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Pentacyclic triterpenoids

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  Yes

  Poison Part:

  Flowers

  Fruits

  Leaves

  Roots

  Sap/Juice

  Seeds

  Stems