Florida Native Lantana

Three native Lantana species. Lantana is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Verbenaceae family (Verbena Family). The first of these native lantanas is Lantana depressa var. depressa (Pineland Lantana). Easily identified by its solid yellow flowers. This plant grows in the Pine Rocklands habitat which has been greatly reduced in area over the years due to development. It is officially listed as endangered and only grows in Miami-Dade County along with another species of Lantana, Lantana canescens (Hammock Shrubverbena). This lantana has tiny white flowers with small velvety pointed leaves. Finally, a third native species, Lantana involucrata (Buttonsage), occurs in 16 coastal counties, including the Florida Keys to Key West. This species is upright and can attain a height of 6-7 feet. Its flowers resemble L. canescens but with a pinkish tinge, and its leaves are rounded without the velvety sheen. All three of these species are excellent nectar sources for our local butterflies and are currently in stock at Richard Lyons Nursery.