The story of Lantana is one of unintended consequences. A strong-smelling flowering plant with clusters of colourful pink, yellow, and red blossoms that resemble miniature wedding bouquets, Lantana is hard to miss in the Indian countryside. Despite its alluring appearance, the plant has earned the dubious title of an invasive species, which rapidly outcompetes native flora and poses a challenge for conservationists.

How Lantana travelled to 50 countries, visa-free

European planters, who chanced upon it while exploring its native haunts in Central and South America, introduced Lantana to India as an ornamental garden plant. Today, it is hard to find a part of India that is free from the plant’s influence. Most commonly encountered at the edges of forests that have been burned or cleared for cultivation, it grows roots quickly, spreads aggressively, and chokes out native vegetation by excreting chemicals that stunt their growth. Being toxic to grazing animals makes it even harder to control. Pollinated by bees and butterflies, with birds dispersing its seeds, Lantana has travelled far and wide. Now it is naturalised in more than 50 countries on five continents. 

In Story of Lantana, the third episode in our series ​“Story Of…”, Richa Govil and Madhuri Ramesh of the School of Development at Azim Premji University ponder the differences between alien and invasive species, mulling over the role that humans have played in altering biodiversity around the world. They reflect on the broader implications of introduced species and confront the complexities of categorising organisms as invasive or desirable.

Living with invasive species

While examining how to live with invasive species that are a challenge to manage, Madhuri and Richa applaud the efforts of organisations that have embarked on innovative ventures to repurpose Lantana as a valuable resource. Through craft collectives and artisanal workshops, the sturdy stems of Lantana find new life as furniture and sculptures, offering both economic opportunities for local communities and a sustainable solution to its proliferation.

But the story doesn’t end there. By examining how food crops like potatoes and tomatoes were introduced to India by Portuguese traders centuries ago, we embrace the intricate relationships between humans, plants, and ecosystems. Through a thought-provoking exploration of ​‘novel ecosystems’ that challenges conventional dichotomies, the presenters invite us to reconsider our perceptions of native and invasive species. As we navigate these nuanced discussions, we are urged to contemplate the interconnectedness of our natural world and the implications of human intervention.

The story of Lantana prompts us to observe, question, and appreciate the intricate tapestry of life that surrounds us. So, the next time you admire a blooming flower or savour a meal, ponder its origins and the intricate web of relationships that define our natural world.

Credits:

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harshit Hillol Gogoi, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Further Reading

Journal Articles and Research Papers

• A Battle Lost? Report on Two Centuries of Invasion and Management of Lantana camara L. in Australia, India and South Africa; Shonil A. Bhagwat, Elinor Breman, Tarsh Thekaekara,Thomas F. Thornton,Katherine J. Willis; Plos One, March 5, 2012
• Ecology and Use of Lantana camara in India; Girish C. S. Negi, Subrat Sharma, Subash, C.R. Vishvakarma, Sher S. Samant, Rakesh K. Maikhuri, Ram C. Prasad & Lok M. S. Palni; The Botanical Review 85(1); May 2019
• Modelling the potential risk zone of Lantana camara invasion and response to climate change in eastern India, Sharad Tiwari, S. N. Mishra, Dharmendra Kumar, Basant Kumar, S. N. Vaidya, Brojo Gopal Ghosh, S K Mujibar Rahaman, Masjuda Khatun, Sanjoy Garai & Amit Kumar; Ecological Processes, 11, Article number: 10 (2022)
• Expanding niche and degrading forests: Key to the successful global invasion of Lantana camara (sensu lato); Ninad Avinash Mungi, Qamar Qureshi, Yadvendradev V. Jhala, Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 23, September 2020]
• Ecology and Impacts of the Invasive Species, Lantana camara, in a Social-Ecological System in South India: Perspectives from Local Knowledge, Sundaram, B., Krishnan, S., Hiremath, A.J. et al, Hum Ecol 40, 931 – 942 (2012)

Feature Articles

• Study offers clues on ecological gain of weeding out Lantana, Down to Earth, January 13, 2023
• Lantana invasion threatens 40 percent of India’s tiger habitat, reports study, The Wire, August 19, 2020
• Impact of alien plants on Western Ghats causes concern, Frontline, June 15, 2023

Discover more shows like this

Subscribe to our Substack