Wild lantana in the Everglades

Close-up of colorful lantana flowers in the Everglades - Photo: Still Gravity.
Lantana during the fall in the Everglades - Photo: Still Gravity.  

Lantana is blooming in the Everglades. Yesterday, we hiked along many common lantana (Lantana camara), another illegal immigrant in Florida - some researchers say that there is a "lantana mess" in this state. It's said that this is the most studied weed in the world. 

The gold lantana (Lantana depressa) is a native of Florida - their flowers are yellow. But most of the species living here are hybrids. 

The common lantana has four petals tubular-shaped flowers. They can take multiple colors: red, yellow, white, pink or orange. The colors depend on location. The plant can reach up to six feet. 

This perennial is poisonous - fruits and leaves -, but anyway is popular in Florida gardens. 

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