780 XLVI. VERBENACEAE 



cover, which the seedlmgs do not tolerate. Thus a lowering of the water- 

 level results in a cessation of reproduction, while a dense growth of Acanthus 

 ilicifolius, prevalent in some locaUties, tends to kill out the seedlings. The 

 tree does not coppice well. Its lateral roots spread in all directions through 

 the mud in which it grows, and send up a plentiful crop of pneumatophores : 

 Mr. A. W. Lushington has observed that in the Kistna mangrove forests these 

 ultimately develop leaves and become trees. ^ This has not been recorded in 

 any other locality, but in view of the poor coppicing power of the species it 

 is a question of importance which requires further investigation in different 

 localities. 



7. LANTANA, Linn. 



This genus contains about 50 species of tropical or sub-tropical shrubs, 

 chiefly American. The only indigenous Indian species is L. indica, Roxb. (Syn. 

 L. dubia, Wall.), a pubescent unarmed shrub with light purple, yellow or 

 white, almost scentless flowers, found throughout the greater part of India. 

 The plant known in India as the lantana, which has spread with alarming 

 results over extensive tracts of country, is L. aculeata, Linn., a species intro- 

 duced from tropical America. 



Lantana aculeata, Linn. Syn. L. Camara, Linn. 



A shrub with recurved prickles on the stems and branches, leaves with 

 a strong odour of black currants when crushed, and orange-coloured fiow^ers. 

 The fruits are small blackish drupes and are readily devoured by birds and by 

 squirrels, rats, jackals, and other animals, and the seeds are spread far and 

 wide by their agency. The flowers and fruits are produced in great abundance 

 at most seasons of the year. The shrub forms a very dense impenetrable 

 growth many feet high, the prickly branches interlacing and forming a close 

 network, while under luxuriant conditions of groT\iih the plant becomes 

 scandent, climbing into the crowns of trees. 



A native of tropical America, lantana is said to have been first introduced 

 into India as an ornamental and hedge plant in the first half of last century. 

 It has since spread over a large part of southern India and over some other 

 portions of the Peninsula, notably Berar and parts of Bombay. More recently 

 it has become invasive in certain parts of northern India, for instance in the 

 bhabar tract round Haldwani in the United Provinces and in the outskirts of 

 Dehra Dun. It has spread to a considerable extent in the neighbourhood of 

 ShiUong, and unless kept in check is Hkely to extend throughout the Khasi 

 and Jaintia hills. It has also succeeded in gaining a foothold in some parts of 

 Burma, and indeed wherever conditions are at all favourable to its growth it 

 spreads with alarming rapidity, and areas which in one year ma}^ contain only 

 a few bushes sparsely dotted about wiU often become covered with a dense 

 impenetrable mass of lantana within the space of a few years. Grazing-grounds 

 thus become ruined in a short space of time, since the dense gro"wih not only 

 prevents the access of cattle, but also kills out grass. The plant is not readily 

 browsed by cattle ; goats and camels occasionally nibble the very young 

 leaves, but only when there is no other fodder at hand. Horses have been 

 observed to eat it. The plant flourishes under varying climatic conditions, 



^ Inspection Xotes, 1910. 



