Lantana urticoides
Family: Verbenaceae
Plant Description: Bushy shrub or subshrub to 1.7 m high with ovate leaves 2-7 cm long, opposite. Leaves are aromatic, hairy, have dark green upper sides and light green undersides, and serrated edges. Young stems are squarish. Flowers in heads, the corolla 6-12 mm wide, opening yellow but commonly changing to pink, purple, orange, or red. Fruit are drupes roundish, black when mature.
Plant Trivia: Toxic to livestock and humans causing liver damage, however, is a staple for bird populations.
Field Identification: Lanceolate floral brats and the leaf margins with coarse teeth are identifying characteristics.
Occurrence: Frequent on sandy or clayey soils in pastures, woods, and wase places and around habitations.
Bloom Period: March-December
Plant Use: Showy and attractive suitable for landscaping for xeriscape and pollinator gardens.
Key to species of Lantana:
- Heads 1-1.7 cm wide………………………………………………………..L. achyranthifolia
Heads 1-4 cm wide………………………………………………………………L. urticoides
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