The berries on a lantana (Lantana spp.), black and about 1/6 of an inch across, are the fruits of the plant. Produced after its 1- to 2-inch clusters of flowers are pollinated, each berry contains one seed.
The berries on a lantana (Lantana spp.), black and about 1/6 of an inch across, are the fruits of the plant. Produced after its 1- to 2-inch clusters of flowers are pollinated, each berry contains one seed.
Not all lantanas produce berries, as many of the newer hybrids are sterile. Unless you want to harvest seeds from a fruit-bearing plant, remove the spent flowers before they form berries, as those berries can be toxic.
Not all lantanas produce berries, as many of the newer hybrids are sterile. Unless you want to harvest seeds from a fruit-bearing plant, remove the spent flowers before they form berries, as those berries can be toxic.
The berries are not toxic to birds, which are the main distributors of its seeds. This has helped make the plants invasive.
The berries are not toxic to birds, which are the main distributors of its seeds. This has helped make the plants invasive.
According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, children can suffer symptoms including nausea and abdominal pain after eating either the plant or its berries, ripe or unripe.
According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, children can suffer symptoms including nausea and abdominal pain after eating either the plant or its berries, ripe or unripe.
Of the 641 children treated, only 65 showed any symptoms at all and "no significant effects and no deaths were recorded." Seek medical help if you think a child ate some parts of a lantana plant.
Of the 641 children treated, only 65 showed any symptoms at all and "no significant effects and no deaths were recorded." Seek medical help if you think a child ate some parts of a lantana plant.
Lantana Deadheading
Even if you don't have children or pets that might be tempted by the berries, it's best to deadhead lantana blooms after they wither to extend the plant's flowering season.
Lantana DeadheadingEven if you don't have children or pets that might be tempted by the berries, it's best to deadhead lantana blooms after they wither to extend the plant's flowering season.
Once it produces berries, a lantana has accomplished its purpose of reproducing itself, and is likely to stop flowering.
Once it produces berries, a lantana has accomplished its purpose of reproducing itself, and is likely to stop flowering.