Introduction

Lantana camara Linn. (Verbenaceae) (lantana) is a pantropical weed, affecting pastures, orchards, and native forests in about 70 countries worldwide (Day et al., 2003b). Lantana camara (sensu lato) is a composite species and is thought to have originated from two or more lantana species from tropical America. Dutch explorers introduced the plant into the Netherlands in the 1600s from Brazil (Stirton, 1977). It was then hybridized in glasshouses in Europe prior to its introduction to other countries as an ornamental.

Lantana camara can grow as individual clumps or dense thickets, displacing desirable species. In disturbed natural forests, it can form the dominant understory, disrupting succession and decreasing biodiversity. Its allelopathic qualities can reduce vigor of plant species nearby and reduce productivity in orchards (Holm et al., 1991). Lantana camara outcompetes native pastures, interferes with the mustering of cattle, and causes death of stock by poisoning (Swarbrick et al., 1998). In Southeast Asia and the Pacific Island communities, it can reduce productivity in orchards and plantations and interferes with harvesting. It flowers prolifically and the seeds are dispersed by birds (Swarbrick et al., 1998). Lantana camara has several uses, mainly as herbal medicines and in some areas as firewood and mulch (Sharma et al., 1988; Sharma and Sharma, 1989). Lantana camara can be controlled through the use of chemicals, mechanical removal, fire, and planting of competitive species. However, in many situations these methods are not feasible.