Family: Verbenaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Lantana montevidensis is a low-growing, spreading shrub native to South America, particularly regions of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Commonly known as trailing or creeping lantana, it forms dense mats of slender, trailing stems covered in small, rough-textured leaves. The plant produces abundant clusters of small, tubular flowers, typically in shades of purple or lavender, sometimes with white or yellow centers. Because of its long blooming period, drought tolerance, and ability to quickly cover ground, it is widely used in landscaping as an ornamental groundcover, especially on slopes, in hanging baskets, and in dry, sunny environments.

Risks & Threats:
Trailing lantana is naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, including Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi, and is potentially naturalizing on Maui. It possesses several traits that are cause for concern, including rapid growth, the ability to form dense groundcover mats, and tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions. These characteristics allow it to outcompete native vegetation, alter habitat structure, and potentially interfere with ecosystem processes in tropical island environments. In areas where it spreads beyond cultivation, it can displace native plant communities and reduce biodiversity. Because of these risks, it is recommended to avoid planting this species and instead choose low-risk or native alternatives better suited to supporting Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (broad native and introduced distribution across several climate zones)
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai and Lanai (Hawaiian Islands), and across Australia
  
• Regarded as an agricultural weed (of pastures) and environmental weed in Australia (but currently not the Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Lantana camara is highly invasive
  
• Possibly toxic to animals and people
  
• Host of pathogens
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense, low-growing thickets
  
• Reproduces by seeds (rarely if ever in the Hawaiian Islands)
  
• May hybridize with Lantana camara
  
• Spreads vegetatively by rooting stems
  
• Able to reach maturity in 1 growing season
  
• Cuttings and garden waste can contribute to accidental spread
  
• Seeds, if produced, dispersed by birds, other fruit eating animals, water and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank
  
• Resprouts after cutting and fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Thrives in full sun (may not spread rapidly into densely shaded areas)
  
• Limited or absent seed production in the Hawaiian Islands greatly minimizes ability to spread long distances from cultivated sites
  
• Herbicides provide effective control
  
• Biocontrol agents released to control Lantana camara may also reduce vigor of cultivated plants