Description: A branched shrub with rough, aromatic leaves and clusters of small tubular flowers, commonly yellow, orange, pink, red or combinations of these colours.

Identification: Opposite rough leaves; prickly/branched stems; dense flower clusters; small black-purple berries.

Habitat & distribution: Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. It is cultivated as an ornamental but can become invasive.

Uses / importance: Ornamental plant and important nectar source for insects; however, it can aggressively invade natural habitats.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom – Plantae
Clade – Angiosperms
Clade – Eudicots
Order – Lamiales
Family – Verbenaceae
Genus – Lantana
Species – L. camara

Sources: Kew POWO; India Biodiversity Portal.