Common Name: West Indian Lantana
Vernacular Name: അരിപ്പൂവ്
Systematic position:
Class- Magnoliopsida
Subclass- Asteridae
Order- Lamiales
Family- Verbenaceae
Genus- Lantana
Species- L. camara
Description: Lantana camara is a perennial, erect sprawling or scandent, shrub which typically grows to around 2 metres tall and form dense thickets in a variety of environments. Under the right conditions, it can scramble up into trees and can grow to 6 m tall. The leaves are broadly ovate, opposite, and simple and have a strong odour when crushed. L. camara has small tubular-shaped flowers, which each have four petals and are arranged in clusters in terminal areas stems. Flowers 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); this is believed to be a signal to pollinators that the pre-change colour contains a reward as well as being sexually viable, thus increasing pollination efficiency.
Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout the year.
Economic Importance: Studies conducted in India have found that Lantana leaves can display antimicrobial, fungicidal and insecticidal properties. L. camara has also been used in traditional herbal medicines for treating a variety of ailments, including cancer, skin itches, leprosy, chicken pox, measles, asthma and ulcers.
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantana_camara