Lantana camara is flowering plant in the Verbenaceae family, native to the American tropics.
It is a very adaptable species, which can inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems; once it has been introduced into a habitat it spreads rapidly. For instance, it has spread from its native range to around 50 countries (brought to Europe by Dutch explorers, and to Asia and Oceania by the Portuguese) where it has become an invasive species. In Asia it is a notorious weed, growing along the paths in the countryside.
Lantana camara
Lantana camara is a perennial shrub which can grow up to 2m in the wild, even scramble up into trees. It forms dense thickets in a variety of environments. The green leaves are broadly ovate, with a strong odour when crushed. The small tubular-shaped flowers are arranged in clusters at the end of the stems, and come in many different colours, including red, yellow, white, pink and orange, which differ depending on location in inflorescences, age, and maturity. The flower has a tutti frutti smell with a peppery undertone. After pollination occurs, the colour of the flowers changes (typically from yellow to orangish, pinkish, or reddish). In frost-free climates the plant can bloom all year round, especially when the soil is moist.