Flower of the Day – November 6 – Lantana

Looking at these pictures it can be hard to believe that this plant (Lantana camara) is a declared noxious weed in almost every country it is found.

Australia alone spends more than $100 million a year in trying to eradicate and control the spread of this plant which can choke crop plants and poison livestock, besides reducing native plantlife through competition.

It will grow rapidly and overcome many local species of plants. Although the leaves are poisonous to animals and the branches are covered in tiny sharp spines, making them resistant to control and cropping back by the native wildlife, the berries are edible and birds unwittingly aid their spread by dropping the lantana berry seeds.

Even so i have 3 of them in my garden, all different colours, as they need NO maintenance to thrive vigourously and provide plenty of wonderful colour, and also provide food and a haven for the native birdlife.

(Click on the pics to open in a new window and click again to see full detail)

I love the geometric nature of their buds! 🙂

link to:

FOTD – November 6, 2018 – Mums

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For Ramya, as promised! 🙂

link to:

FOTD – Lantana Camara

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love.