Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Lantana montevidensis


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 16


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq.; trailing lantana, trailing shrubverbena
Synonyms: Lantana sellowiana Link & Otto, Lippia montevidensis Spreng. [basionym]

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

y

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

y

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

16

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

"It has been cultivated as an ornamental scrambler for covering banks. In Australia it is a weed of coastal and sub-coastal Queensland and northern New South Wales. "

Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

1.03

[Both weedy and ornamental forms exist]
"AB: Glasshouse, laboratory and field trials were conducted to determine the suitability of C. pygmaea as a biological control agent of the weed L. montevidensis in Australia. Investigations on the infestation of C. pygmaea on the weedy and ornamental forms of L. montevidensis in the laboratory showed that adult insects preferred the ornamental form of the plant regardless of which form they were reared on."

Day, M. D.; McAndrew, T. D. (2002) Status of Charidotis pygmaea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as a biological control agent of Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae) in Australia. Biological Control, 2002, Vol.23, No.1, pp.27-34, 23 ref.

2.01

(1) "native to southern Brazil and Argentina"
(2) Native Habitat: South America. Hardiness Range 8B to 11.

(1) Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.300
(2) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

2.02

2.03

Hardiness Range 8B to 11. Although plants will be frozen back in 20 to 30-degree F winters (hardiness zone 8b), new growth quickly appears in spring.

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

2.04

Naturalized in coastal Queensland, Australia

Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

2.05

(1) US: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Texas
(2) Australia

(1) USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
(2) Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

3.01

(1)" In Australia it is a weed of coastal and sub-coastal Queensland and northern New South Wales. " (2)grows up and through hedges and in disturbed places and roadsides, and is a fairly common urban weedy plant at low elevations [California]

(1)Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf (2)http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/lantana.html

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

(1) "In Australia it is a weed of coastal and sub-coastal Queensland and northern New South Wales. This weed can compete with native pastures due to its scrambling growth form and drought tolerance. The plant is suspected to have similar toxic properties to other lantana species."
(2), (3) on the lists of environmental weeds (4)Targeted for biocontrol in Australia (5)The tragedy is that creeping lantana is also a Bushland nightmare. The purple onehas moved into Brisbane’s Bushland and is THRIVING. Although not a problem in wet rainforest, it just loves dry rainforests.Other forests too. (6)Creeping lantana can be found in eucalypt forest and partially cleared rainforest. It can grow in most soils and is considered drought and frost resistant; it is considered an environmental weed by Brisbane City Council (7)toxic and readily displaces native vegetation.

(1) Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf
(2) http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/environment/conservation/weeds/pdfs/weedrebate.pdf
(3) http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/residential_services/pest_weed_control/weeds.shtml (4)Day, MD, Wilson, BW, Nahrung, HF (1999) The life history and host range of Charidotis pygmaea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 9 347-354 (5)http://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au/newsletters/Brain24.pdf (6)http://www.qld.greeningaustralia.org.au/weedguide/BrisWeedGuide/Pages/weeds/weed14.htm (7)http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/documents/wmg_lantana.pdf

3.05

"lantana (L. camara) is a weed of cultivated land, fence lies, pastures, rangelands and waste places."

http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/461.pdf

4.01

"has no thorns"

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

deer resistant plant

http://users.bestweb.net/~habitat/deer.htm

4.05

(1) "The plant is suspected to have similar toxic properties to other lantana species."
(2) "All parts of Lantana except the flowers are toxic to livestock. Lantana poisoning in cattle, sheep, buffalo and guinea-pigs causes obstructive jaundice, photosensitization and raises serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase activity. The symptoms can be reproduced in sheep by administering purified lantadene A. " (3)WARNING: Pets have reportedly become ill after ingesting Lantana.

(1) Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp. Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf
(2) Windadri, F.I. & van Valkenburg, J.L.C.H., 2002. Lantana L.. [Internet] Record number 493 from TEXTFILE On-line. de Padua, L.S., Bunyapraphatsara, N. and Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Tuesday, 27 January 2004. (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/L/lant_m.cfm

4.06

(1) lantana lacebug (Teleonemia scrupulosa ) (2) About 15 plant species (mostly Lantana and Leucophyllum spp.) are recorded as hosts of the lantana lace bug (Harley and Kassulke 1971). However, damage to plants other than lantana has been slight and transitory with one exception. In East Africa after defoliating lantana, lantana lace bugs moved to sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) causing economic losses to the crop

Nishikawa, J.; Nakashima, C.; Kobayashi, T. (2001) Brown leaf spot on Lantana spp. caused by Pseudocercospora guianensis . Journal of General Plant Pathology, 2001, Vol.67, No.4, pp.281-284, 9 ref.

(2) http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/lantana_lace_bug.htm

4.07

(1) "all parts of the plant are poisonous" (2) "Precautions: Fruit is poisonous" (3)toxic exotic (4)Remove fruit to avoid an attraction for children.

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2) http://www.bloomingarizona.com/plant_detail.html?recordid=25 (3)http://www.angelfire.com/my/kernxotica/toxic_exotics.html (4)http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ho/ho65/ho65.htm

4.08

(1) "Low flammability"; "Evergreen"; "Rapidly spreading stems 3- to 4-feet-tall"; " In frost free areas, plants can grow to be several feet tall and they become a tangle of woody stems beneath the outer canopy of foliage. Once-a-year pruning in the spring can keep the plant as a lower ground cover and eliminates the woody growth. "
(2) Lantana montevidensis is an endemic species of the Brazilian cerrado (savannah) that usually flowers abundantly after burning of the vegetation. Several possible effects of fire on the induction of flowering in this species were tested in greenhouse trials with no significant results. It was suggested that the removal of the aerial parts of the plant by the fire is the necessary stimulus for flowering induction, as pruning of the plants also resulted in flowering. [Noted as low flammability and evergreen, but part of a fire cycle in its native range]

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

(2)

4.09

(1) Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun (2) Exposure: full sun, takes heat; gets leggy and bloom is poor in shade (3)Trailing Lantana needs full sun (4)LIGHT REQUIREMENT: Full sun.

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2) http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Lantana_montevidensis.html (3)http://www.harmony.ecisd.net/pape/lantana.htm (4)http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Hort/FlaFoliage/Lantana.htm

4.1

(1) Soil Condition Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, alkaline, tolerates salt well, drought tolerant
(2) "Well-drained, tolerant, slightly, acid soil is a must for lantana; soil pH of about 6.5 or lower is best." (3)Quite salt tolerant. (4)Tolerates poor soil

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.
(2) http://www.lsuagcenter.com/Communications/pdfs_bak/pub2663lantana.pdf (3)http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Hort/FlaFoliage/Lantana.htm (4)http://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au/newsletters/Brain24.pdf

4.11

no evidence

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.12

"Rapidly spreading stems 3- to 4-feet-tall"; " In frost free areas, plants can grow to be several feet tall and they become a tangle of woody stems beneath the outer canopy of foliage. Once-a-year pruning in the spring can keep the plant as a lower ground cover and eliminates the woody growth. "

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

shrub; Verbenaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

shrub

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.01

"Lantana montevidensis is an endemic species of the Brazilian cerrado (savannah) that usually flowers abundantly after burning of the vegetation. "

Haddad, C. R. B.; Valio, I. F. M. (1993) Effect of fire on flowering of Lantana montevidensis Briq. Journal of Plant Physiology, 1993, Vol.141, No.6, pp.704-707, 13 ref.

6.02

Propagation: cuttings; seeds; "seeds can be sown under glass in the early spring" [seeds are used for propagation]

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.03

(1)"Does not hybridize with Native Lantanas." (2) Many hybrids of these two popular lantanas are available. [Lantana camara and L. montevidensis.]

(1)http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/FHLC/Inv/L.htm (2)http://www.greenmediaonline.com//li/2002/0203/0203pp_w.asp

6.04

no evidence

6.05

"The flowers attract many different butterflies and moths. "

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.06

"Lantana montevidensis is a low mat-forming wiry shrub. It has a brown woody taproot with strong laterals and often roots from the prostrate stems"; "dispersal is also by rooting stem pieces."

Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

6.07

can be grown as an annual

http://users.bestweb.net/~habitat/deer.htm

7.01

it grows vigorously from the garden clippings we humans dump over our fences into the neighbouring Bush –“

http://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au/newsletters/Brain24.pdf

7.02

ornamental

7.03

no evidence

7.04

"the fruit brown- purple when ripe.The seed is dispersed by fruit-eating birds, and carried by rain runoff and dispersal is also by rooting stem pieces."

Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

7.05

"The seed is dispersed by fruit-eating birds, and carried by rain runoff and dispersal is also by rooting stem pieces."

Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

7.06

"the fruit brown- purple when ripe.The seed is dispersed by fruit-eating birds, and carried by rain runoff and dispersal is also by rooting stem pieces."

Schultz, G. C. (1994) Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis ). Agnote (Darwin), 1994, No.455, 1 pp.
Available at: http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/455.pdf

7.07

no known means of attachment

7.08

bird-dispersed

8.01

(1)"Fruit a fleshy, dark purple, subglobose drupe 3.5-5 mm in diameter, infrequently formed in cultivation." (2)The ovary is two-chambered with one ovule per chamber and the fruit that develops is a fleshy drupe with two spheric nutlet

(1)Whistler, A.W. (2000) Tropical Oramentals: a Guide. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon. 542pp. p.300 (2)http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/lantana.html

8.02

the seeds take six to eight weeks to germinate and need relatively high temperatures-- 65° to 75° [probably have dormancy mechanism but no direct documentation]

http://www.sd1new.net/GardenPages/lantana.htm

8.03

Chemical control is available for this weed.

http://www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/pubcat/agnotes/weeds/461.pdf

8.04

(1) [fire induces flowering]
AB: Lantana montevidensis is an endemic species of the Brazilian cerrado (savannah) that usually flowers abundantly after burning of the vegetation. Several possible effects of fire on the induction of flowering in this species were tested in greenhouse trials with no significant results. It was suggested that the removal of the aerial parts of the plant by the fire is the necessary stimulus for flowering induction, as pruning of the plants also resulted in flowering.
(2) [readily regenerate after mowing]
AB: Eight groundcover species (Aptenia cordifolia , Baccharis pilularis , Drosanthemum hispidum , Lantana montevidensis , Myoporum parvifolium , Osteospermum fruticosum , Rosmarinus officinalis cv. Prostratus and Verbena x hybrida ) commonly used in the southwestern United States were subjected to renovation by mowing during a 2-year study. Plant response was evaluated monthly in terms of total height, thickness of thatch, density, and overall appearance. Six species responde

(1) Haddad, C. R. B.; Valio, I. F. M. (1993) Effect of fire on flowering of Lantana montevidensis Briq. Journal of Plant Physiology, 1993, Vol.141, No.6, pp.704-707, 13 ref.

(2) Hodel, D. R.; Pittenger, D. R. (1994) Responses of eight groundcover species to renovation by mowing. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 1994, Vol.12, No.1, pp.4-7, 8 ref.

8.05

[Many biological control agents have been released to control L. camara, some of them might also attack L. montevidensis as shown in (3)-(6); however agents that attack L. montevidensis might be avioded in Hawaii as shown in (2)]
(1) "Over two dozen biocontrol agents have been released to control it [L. camara] in Hawaii with results varying from ineffective to spectacular. The most effective are the defoliating caterpillar Hypena strigata; the seed-destroying fly Ophiomyia lantanae, and the lace bug Teleonemia scrupulosa. In places, infestations of lantana by biocontrol agents are universal but the effect on the population is not obvious even after decades of once or twice annual cycles of defoliation. Yet some areas have been cleared of lantana leading to a premature declaration of victory over lantana."
(2) [L. montevidensis was tested to be immune from a biocontrol agent before the agent was suggested to be released]
AB: Pathogenicity tests with a Septoria sp. isolated from Lantana camara from Ecuador

(1)http://www.hear.org/pier/species/lantana_camara.htm
(2) Trujillo, E. E.; Norman, D. J. (1995) Septoria leaf spot of lantana from Ecuador: a potential biological control for bush lantana in forests of Hawaii. Plant Disease, 1995, Vol.79, No.8, pp.819-821, 10 ref.
(3) Day, M. D.; Wilson, B. W.; Nahrung, H. F. ET: The life history and host range of Charidotis pygmaea (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology, 1999, Vol.9, No.3, pp.347-354, 17 ref.
(4) Day, M. D.; Willson, B. W.; Latimer, K. J. (1998) The life history and host range of Ectaga garcia , a biological control agent for Lantana camara and L. montevidensis in Australia. BioControl, 1998, Vol.43, No.3, pp.325-338, 24 ref.
(5) Harley, K. L. S.; Kassulke, R. C. (1974) The suitability of Phytobia lantanae Frick for biological control of Lantana camara in Australia. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society, 1974, Vol.13, No.3, pp.229-233, 5 ref.
(6) Harle


Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER!


[ Return to PIER homepage ] [Risk assessment page]


This page new 10 February 2005