Lantana Camara

• Context (DTE): Lantana remains a challenge for the ecosystem and food security.

  

Spread of Lantana

• Lantana is on the IUCN’s list of top 100 invasive species.
• The native range of Lantana camara is Central and South America.
• It was introduced in the country as an ornamental plant by the British in the 1800s.
• Lantana occupy 40 per cent of forests, including tiger reserves.
• Lantana has also invaded most pasture lands in the country.
• Lantana camara is known to be toxic to livestock, causing liver damage and photosensitivity.
• It is difficult to eradicate due to rapid spread, infestation intensity, allelopathy, opportunistic growth behaviour, reproductivity biology traits, and tenacious resistance to cutting and burning.

Usage of Lantana

• Residents used the dried lantana stems to fence their fields or burn them as charcoal.
• Lantana leaves can also be used for antimicrobial, fungicidal and insecticidal properties.

Removal of Lantana

• Insects and other biocontrol agents have been implemented with limited degrees of success.
• Mechanical control of Lantana can be effective but is labour-intensive and expensive.
• Herbicides to manage Lantana are effective but expensive, with severe environmental consequences.