In the mid-1800s, lantana came to South African gardens; it spread over 2 million hectares and may use up to 97 million cubic meters of water a year
Lantana was brought to South Africa for gardens in the mid-1800s. It has invaded over 2 million hectares, and decades of control have had limited success.
In the mid-1800s, the lantana shrub was introduced to South Africa as an ornamental plant for gardens. However, it has since spread across over 2 million hectares of land in the country, making it a major invasive species. Native to central and northern South America and the Caribbean, the plant has now been found in about 60 countries and island groups.
Lantana camara is among the world's 100 worst invasive species. It can also cross with related plants, making it difficult to control. A 2000 national assessment estimated that lantana uses up to 97 million cubic meters of surface water annually, accounting for around 3% of the additional water used by all invasive plants. Despite efforts to control it, only five of the seven suitable biological control agents established themselves.
Conservationists suggest that a more adaptive management approach is needed to combat the spread of lantana.
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