Lantana trifolia
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lantana fiebrigii
- Lantana maxima
- Lantana mearnsii
- Lantana trifolia f. congolensis
- Lantana trifolia var. geminata
- Phonetic Spelling
- lan-TAY-nah try-FOH-lee-a
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Three-leaved lantana is a fast-growing, tropical broadleaf evergreen perennial shrub from Central and South America, growing 2-5 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide with a rounded habit. In North Carolina, it can be grown as an annual or as a container plant that must be moved indoors for the winter. The leaves are glossy, bright green, and in three-leaf whirls, and the blooms are clusters of lavender flowers that bloom from summer to fall. The fruit is ornamentally significant and is an elongated popcorn-like spike of lavender fruits. Three-leaved lantana is a member of the verbena family (Verbenaceae). The specific epithet trifolia means three-leaved; hence, the common name.
This plant prefers full sun and tolerates a variety of moist, well-drained soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It is poor-soil-, heat-, and drought-tolerant once established. It is also deer- and verticillium wilt- resistant. This plant is hardy in zones 10-11 and is intolerant of cold temperatures. To help the plant maintain its shape and size, prune in early spring. For propagation, stem cuttings should be taken in the early spring or summer.
Attractive as an annual border or container plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases. Monitor for whiteflies, scale, and spider mites, especially when grown indoors. Overwatering or poor soil drainage can cause root rot. High humidity and poor air circulation can cause powdery mildew or crown rot.
If ingested, this plant is toxic to humans and pets. Wear protective gloves and clothing when handling this plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fruity Pebbles'
An upright shrub with lavender-pink flowers, yellow throats, and metallic-purple berry spikes that appear after blooming - 'Lavender Popcorn'
A shrubby plant with elongated spikes of lavender-pink blooms which are followed by metallic purple berries.
- 'Fruity Pebbles'
- 'Fruity Pebbles', 'Lavender Popcorn'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fruity Pebbles'
An upright shrub with lavender-pink flowers, yellow throats, and metallic-purple berry spikes that appear after blooming - 'Lavender Popcorn'
A shrubby plant with elongated spikes of lavender-pink blooms which are followed by metallic purple berries.
- 'Fruity Pebbles'
- 'Fruity Pebbles', 'Lavender Popcorn'
- Tags:
-
-
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
- Distribution:
- Native: Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Windward Islands. Introduced: Andaman Islands, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Provinces, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Jawa, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar-producing flowers attract pollinators, especially butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Berries are a food source for songbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Verticillium wilt resistant
- Edibility:
- Toxic if ingested.
- 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
- Rounded
- 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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 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:
- Once the flower has faded, it elongates into an ornamental popcorn-like spike of lavender fruits
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are flattened clusters of small 5-petaled lavender flowers. Each cluster measures up to 2 inches in diameter. The blooms are usually lavender, but can also be seen in shades of pink or white.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- 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:
- The leaves are glossy, rough, dark green, lanceolate to oblong, whorled, measuring up to 4 inches long, with serrated margins. The leaves grow in whorls of three.
-
-
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
- Salt
- 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
