Lantana camara L.

Title: Lantana camara L.

Scientific name:

Lantana camara L.

Common name(s):

lantana

Source & more images (ALA)

Habitat: Warm temperate, subtropical and tropical climates. Doesn’t grow at temperatures below 5°C and shoots are sensitive to frost. Grows best in constant rainfall or in areas of high soil moisture. Grows on rich organic soils, well drained clay soils and volcanic soils derived from basalts. Invades open and semi-open plant communities such as road verges, grasslands and woodlands, and proliferates under lightly shaded conditions such as mature hoop pine plantations. Also forms monospecific stands along road sides and fence lines and in open grasslands. (Swarbrick, Wilson and Hannan-Jones 1998)

Distribution:

Original source via CABI

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? Activities that increase light intensity and soil temperature will stimulate germination (NHT 2004). Seeds need warm temperatures and sufficient moisture to germinate but with these conditions present can germinate throughout the year, peaking after the first summer rains (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

2. Establishment requirements? Thrives in high rainfall areas of tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates (NHT 2004). Can tolerate partial, but not complete shading and dominates understoreys (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan- Jones 1998). Can establish in minor disturbed natural ecosystems.

3. How much disturbance is required? Human disturbances such as clearing, construction and inappropriate burning will stimulate germination (NHT 2004). Serious invader of disturbed ecosystems and persists along roadsides, creeks and other open situations. Infests forest edges, coastal zones and riparian areas, penetrates disturbed rainforest and invades open eucalypt woodland.( Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? Much-branched, thicket-forming perennial shrub (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998) – Life form other.

5. Allelopathic properties? Excludes other species through allelopathic effects (NHT 2004). Shown to be allelopathic to citrus and may be to many endemic Australian plants (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

6. Tolerates herb pressure? The plant is unpalatable and scarcely eaten but is under a biocontrol program in Queensland and New South Wales (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

7. Normal growth rate? Mainly an invader of open woodland, however the dense thickets exclude native species through smothering and dominates understoreys (NHT 2004). It often forms mono-specific stands to the exclusion of native herbs, shrubs and tree and climber seedlings (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? New shoots are frost sensitive and growth is prevented below 5°C (NHT 2004). Can survive prolonged dry periods but does not tolerate waterlogging. Very low tolerance to soil salinity. Fire as a control measure is insufficient by itself as plant recovers quickly afterwards (Swarbrick, Wilson & Hannan-Jones 1998). Tolerant to at least two and susceptible to at least two.

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Both self and cross pollination are possible. Can spread via layering whereby horizontal stems take root when in contact with moist soil (Swarbrick, Wilson & Hannan-Jones 1998). Also reshoots vigorously from dormant buds at the base stems (NHT 2004).

10. Number of propagules produced? A single plant can produce up to 12000 fruit each year (NHT 2004).

11. Propagule longevity? Studies show that 50% of seed will remain viable in dry conditions for up to two years (NHT 2004). Unpublished studies have shown seed viability of four to five years.

12. Reproductive period? ‘Very long-lived under favourable conditions…plants tend to die only under extremely stressful conditions such as extended drought or complete shading through canopy closure’ (NHT 2004). Can form selfsustaining mono-specific stands (Swarbrick, Wilson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

13. Time to reproductive maturity? The first flowers are produced in the field during the second summer but in greenhouse studies have been produced six months after germination (Parsons & Cuthbertson 1992).

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Fruit eating birds are the main agents of dispersal (through droppings). Some mammals, especially foxes, also disperse seed (NHT 2004).

15. How far do they disperse? Most fruits are dispersed by birds, often locally, but can be to distances of up to 1 km or more (Swarbrick, Willson & Hannan-Jones 1998).

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? “Thicket forming shrub 2 – 4 m tall. Stems are covered in prickles and interlink with adjacent plants to form dense, tangle, impenetrable thickets” (Muyt 2001). Human access severely restricted.

2. Reduce tourism? “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall…greatly reducing the area’s conservation value, making it impenetrable to people” (Panetta et al. 1998). Major impact on recreation.

3. Injurious to people? “Stems are armed with sharp recurved spines” (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). Potential to cause minor injury all year round.

4. Damage to cultural sites? “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall” (Panetta et al. 1998). Not known to cause structural damage; likely have a moderate negative visual effect.

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001).

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001).

7. Increase soil erosion? “Much-branched thicket forming shrubs to 3 m high. [The root system comprises a] robust, brown woody rootstock with numerous shallow laterals” (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). Unlikely to contribute to soil erosion.

8. Reduce biomass? “Lantana is mainly an invader of open (in Australia especially eucalypt) woodland. It commonly forms dense monospecific stand several metres tall” (Panetta et al. 1998). Biomass may increase.

9. Change fire regime? In woodland communities it commonly forms dense mono-specific stands that, “greatly increase the fire hazard under dry conditions. Dry lantana burns readily even when green” (Panetta et al. 1998). Moderate change to both

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Coastal Headland Scrub (V); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Wilsons Promontory. Climate=VH. “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall which exclude native herbs, shrubs and tree and climber seedlings, greatly reducing the area’s conservation value” (Panetta et al. 1998). Monoculture within a layer.

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Coastal Alkaline Scrub (D); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Gippsland Plain. Climate=VH. “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall which exclude native herbs, shrubs and tree and climber seedlings, greatly reducing the area’s conservation value” (Panetta et al. 1998). Monoculture within a layer.

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy Woodland (LC); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Wilsons Promontory; Climate=VH. “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall which exclude native herbs, shrubs and tree and climber seedlings, greatly reducing the area’s conservation value” (Panetta et al. 1998). Monoculture within a layer.

11. Impact on structure? “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall which exclude native herbs, shrubs and tree and climber seedlings, greatly reducing the area’s conservation value” (Panetta et al. 1998). Potential to form monoculture.

12. Effect on threatened flora? This species is not documented as posing an additional risk to threatened flora.

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna? This species is not documented as posing an additional risk to threatened fauna.

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? “It commonly forms dense mono-specific stands several metres tall which exclude native herbs, shrubs and tree and climber seedlings” (Panetta et al. 1998). But, “Lantana thickets create a substitute habitat, providing food and shelter for some animal species” (ARMCANZ 2001). Structure is altered with reduced diversity; more importantly natural habitat is affected potentially leading to reduction in faunal populations.

15. Benefits fauna? Lantana provides some shelter and food for native fauna (ARMCANZ 2001).

16. Injurious to fauna? Although toxic to sheep and cattle, there is no evidence the plant affects native fauna (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001).

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? It is not documented as providing food to pest species. However, it is known to be an alternative food source for some native birds (ARMCANZ 2001). Potential food source to pest birds.

18. Provides harbor? “The thickets provide shelter for animal pests” (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). “It provides harbour to vermin, including rabbits, foxes and feral cats” (Anon. (n.d.)).

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? Direct impact on yield resulting from loss of pasture and animal deaths (ARMCANZ 2001). “Annual losses due to lantana in pastures are estimated to be $A7.7m, comprising 1500 cattle deaths, 4.5% reduced performance, [and] 7.3% loss of pasture” (Panetta et al. 1998). Major impact on yield.

20. Impact quality? Not known to affect the quality of produce. Not a weed of cropping.

21. Affect land values? Although not documented, the invasiveness of lantana, its impact on agricultural yield, its toxic properties and the cost of control all suggest that land values would be affected (Panetta et al. 1998). “It forms dense impenetrable thickets which impede access, alter fire regimes and reduce amenity and property values” (Anon (n.d.)).

22. Change land use? “Uncultivated pastures or neglected properties are readily invaded. Decline of traditional dairying /beef industries on the NSW and Queensland hinterlands and the expansion of rural subdivisions have resulted in many marginal grazing lands being abandoned and invaded by lantana” (ARMCANZ 2001). Left untreated, lantana infestations may result in a significant change in land use (or abandonment).

23. Increase harvest costs? Not known to affect the cost of harvesting produce.

24. Disease host/vector? “The thickets…act as alternative hosts for plant pathogens and pests such as Aschochyta phaseolorum, Physalospora fusca, and thrips (Holothrips flaviceps and Thrips tabaci)” (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). Serious pest of horticulture.

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Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.

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referenced by (1)

wra1008: Common Names - L (via lantana)

Article: wra5315 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:l, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invml, :wra:inv3, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:invh, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:imph, :wra:imp2, :wra:imp3, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp4, :wra:impml, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 23 November 2009; 4:27:18 PM AEDT

Author Name: Jessica Mackay
Author ID: mackayj