Declared Plant Policy
under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004
common lantana (Lantana camara)
Common lantana is a rapidly growing shrub originating in Central America, popular as an
ornamental garden plant, and now widespread in the moist tropics and subtropics around the
world. It is a Weed of National Significance in Australia because it is invasive in subtropical
and tropical summer rainfall climates.
Management Plan for Common Lantana
Outcomes

Prevention of trade in Weeds of National Significance.
Objectives

No supply of common lantana by growers or retailers in SA.
Implementation

Sale and movement of common lantana to be prohibited in SA.

Compliance action in the event that common lantana plants are being offered for sale
in SA.
Regional Implementation
Refer to regional management plans for further details.
NRM Region
Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges
Alinytjara Wilurara
Eyre Peninsula
Kangaroo Island
Northern and Yorke
South Australian Arid Lands
South Australian Murray Darling Basin
South East
Actions
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
prohibit sale and movement
Declaration
To implement this policy, common lantana is declared under the Natural Resources
Management Act, 2004 throughout the whole of the State of South Australia so that any further
sale or movement of the plant can be prevented. The movement or transport of the plant on a
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common lantana policy
public road by itself or as a contaminant, its entry to South Australia, or sale by itself or as a
contaminant are prohibited.
Common lantana is declared in category 3 under the Act for the purpose of setting maximum
penalties and for other purposes. Any permit to allow its movement or sale can only be issued
by the regional NRM Board pursuant to section 188.
The following sections of the Act apply to common lantana throughout each of the the NRM
regions noted below:
EP
KI
NY
SAAL
SAMDB
SE
175(1) Prohibiting entry to area
175(2) Prohibiting movement on public roads
177(1) Prohibiting sale of the plant
177(2) Prohibiting sale of contaminated goods
180 Requiring notification of infestations
182(1) Landowners to destroy the plant on their properties
182(2) Landowners to control the plant on their properties
185 Recovery of control costs on adjoining road reserves
AW
Sections of Act
AMLR
Region
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Review
Success of the program will be measured by its effectiveness in stopping trade in common
lantana within SA or its supply from SA to other jurisdictions. This policy is to be reviewed by
2020, or in the event of a change in the status of common lantana as a Weed of National
Significance.
Weed Risk
Invasiveness
Common lantana produces abundant seed in berries, which may be dispersed by many
species of bird. Where invasion occurs it is linked with disturbance, including bare ground,
open canopies and unimproved pastures. However, there are no records of it spreading by
seed in SA.
Impacts
No impact of lantana on native vegetation has been recorded in SA. In States where it can
establish it has become a major invader of bushland, dominating understoreys, altering
succession processes and reducing diversity.
Potential distribution
Common lantana has not established in native vegetation or grazing land in SA despite
having been cultivated here since the late 19th century. Some gullies in the high-rainfall
parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges may provide suitable habitat for it.
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Feasibility of Containment
Control costs
Removal of lantana is labour-intensive in regions such as Queensland and New South Wales
where it becomes established.
Persistence
Common lantana is a hardy shrub that persists in old gardens, but does not persist outside
cultivation in SA.
Current distribution
Common lantana is not known to be naturalised in South Australia.
State Level Risk Assessment
Assessment using the Biosecurity SA Weed Risk Management System gave the following
comparative weed risk and feasibility of containment scores by land use:
Land use
Native vegetation
Weed Risk
negligible
4
Feasibility
of control
very high
2
Response at
State Level
monitor
Considerations
Common lantana is one of the Weeds of National Significance, which are subject to a
uniform prohibition on sale in all States and Territories as agreed by the Natural Resource
Management Ministerial Council.
Item 2.2.2 of the national strategy on lantana calls for the sale and distribution of all nonsterile forms of Lantana camara to be phased out nationally. In compliance this strategy,
sale of the plant and its seed is prohibited in South Australia as in other jurisdictions.
Synonymy
Lantana camara L. , Sp. Pl. 2: 627 (1753)
Taxonomic synonyms:
Camara vulgaris Benth., Bot. Voy. Sulphur 154 (1846)
Lantana aculeata L., Sp. Pl. 2: 627 (1753)
Lantana crocea Jacq., Pl. Hort. Schoenbr. 4: 37 (1804)
Lantana flava Medik., Act. Acad. Theod. Palat. iii. Phys 3: 225 (1775)
Lantana hybrida Hort. ex Neub., Deutsch. Gart. Mag. 10: 98 (1857)
Lantana mista L.., Syst. Nat. 2: 417 (1767)
Lantana nivea Vent., Jard. Malmaison 1,2: 8 (1803)
Lantana sanguinea Medik., Act. Acad. Theod. Palat. iii. Phys 3: 227 (1775)
Lantana splendens Medik., Act. Acad. Theod. Palat. iii. Phys 3: 226 (1775)
Other common names include large-leaf lantana and kamara lantana.
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References
Agriculture & Resource Management Council of Australia & New Zealand Australia & New
Zealand Environment & Conservation Council and Forestry Ministers (2001) 'Weeds of
National Significance Lantana (Lantana camara) Strategic Plan.' (National Weeds Strategy
Executive Committee: Launceston)
Munir, A.A. (1996) A taxonomic review of Lantana camara L. and L. montevidensis
(Spreng.)Briq. (Verbenaceae) in Australia. J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 17: 1-28.
Sanders, R.W. (2006) Taxonomy of Lantana Sect. Lantana (Verbenaceae): I. Correct
application of Lantana camara and associated names. Sida 22: 381-421.
Hon Ian Hunter MP
Minister for Sustainability, Environment and
Conservation
Date: 28 July 2014
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