Lantana is a common weed in the Noosa Shire, particularly in the hinterland. There is also a close relative called creeping lantana that is more common in gardens.
Scientific names: Lantana camara is the taller variety/Lantana montevidensis is trailing or creeping lantana
Native to: camara – Tropical South and Central America/montevidensis – South America
Family: Verbenaceae
Habit: camara is a multi branched arching shrub which can climb/montevidensis is a low growing spreading shrub
Dispersal method: fruit spread by birds and vegetatively e.g. underground stems
Control measures: camara – cut and paint keeping branches off the ground, splatter spray and can easily be pulled out but be cautious on slopes to limit erosion/montevidensis – cut and paint and spot spray
Lantana camara quickly forms a monoculture. It is good habitat for small birds. Removing large areas quickly can be detrimental for small birds and other animals. It is best to slowly remove lantana while allowing regeneration of native species.
Native species to use in place of lantana: Poison peach – Trema tomentosa
More information can be found in ‘Weeds of the Sunshine Coast’ pages 168, 169 (First edition).
Lantana: Noxious weed or great habitat? – Land for Wildlife (lfwseq.org.au)
Michelle Newall
