• Photo of Lantana trifolia (Lantana trifolias)

Plant Profile: Lantana trifolia

Taxonomy: Lantana trifolia

Names

Lantana Lavender Popcorn, Shrub Verbena, Three Leaved Lantana

  • Photo of Lantana trifolia (Lantana trifolias)

Phonetic Spelling:lan-TAY-nah try-FOH-lee-a

Genus:Lantana

Species:trifolia

Family:Verbenaceae

Three-leaved Lantana is a tropical shrub native to South and Central America, as well as Mexico, typically reaching heights of 2 to 5 feet. In North Carolina, it can be cultivated as an annual or brought indoors during the winter months. Additionally, cuttings can be taken and overwintered indoors to prepare for the following growing season.

The leaves of this plant are arranged in whorls of three, while its flowers bloom in clusters of lavender during the growing season. The fruit, which is visually appealing, resembles elongated spikes of lavender, similar to popcorn.

This shrub thrives in average, well-drained soils and demonstrates resilience in less-than-ideal soil conditions.

Lantana trifolia Feature Summary

Lantana trifolia Image Gallery

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Tags

#showy flowers
#poisonous
#full sun tolerant
#showy berries
#annual
#drought tolerant
#white flowers
#purple flowers
#pink flowers
#frost tender
#spring flowers
#cottage garden
#upright form
#moist soil
#well-drained soil
#spreading
#summer flowers
#tender perennial
#lavender flowers
#whorled
#coastal plants
#fall fruits
#acidic soil tolerant
#pollinator plant
#evergreen shrub
#poor soils tolerant
#sandy soils tolerant
#clay soils tolerant
#bird friendly
#butterfly friendly
#tropical feel

Similar Plants

Lantana trifolia is often confused with:

Lantana trifolia Feature Summary

Attributes
Uses (Ethnobotany):
Crushed leaves are made into a tea and used to treat rheumatism, generalized body pains and indigestion. The leaves are also used to treat colds and ringworm. The roots are used to treat eczema. Stems, wood is used as fuel and for making brooms.
Country Or Region Of Origin:
West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America
Wildlife Value:
Nectar producing flowers attract pollinators, especially butterflies. Berries are a food source for songbirds.
Edibility:
Fully ripe (deep blue or black) berries are reported to be edible.
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Annual
Play Value:
Attracts Pollinators
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Attractive Flowers
Fruit
Fruit Description:
elongated popcorn-like spikes of lavender fruits
Fruit Color:
Purple/Lavender
Black
Blue
Fruit Width:
< 1 inch
Flowers
Flower Description:
Up to 2-inch flattened clusters of small 5-petaled lavender flowers
Flower Color:
Pink
Purple/Lavender
White
Flower Bloom Time:
Spring
Summer
Fall
Flower Petals:
4-5 petals/rays
Flower Size:
1-3 inches
Leaves
Leaf Description:
Dark green leaves are up to 4 inches long, rough-textured with serrated margins that grow in whorls of 3.
Leaf Shape:
Oblong
Lanceolate
Leaf Length:
3-6 inches
Leaf Width:
1-3 inches
Poisonous to Humans
Poison Symptoms:
Humans and animals may have allergic reactions if this plant is consumed or by coming into contact with sap from bruised or broken plant parts.
Poison Toxic Principle:
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Poison Part:
Seeds
Leaves
Stems
Sap/Juice
Flowers
Fruits
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Plant Type:
Perennial
Annual
Habit/Form:
Erect
Spreading
Texture:
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Light:
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil pH:
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil Drainage:
Good Drainage
Moist
NC Region:
Coastal
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
8b
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Soil Texture:
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Stem
Landscape
Landscape Theme:
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Cottage Garden
Resistance To Challenges:
Drought
Deer
Poor Soil
Attracts:
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Problems:
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Contact Dermatitis
Problem for Children

Lantana trifolia Image Gallery

CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Lantana trifolia - Flowers:Leoadec
CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo of Lantana trifolia - Leaves and fruit:Franz Xzver
CC BY 2.0
Photo of Lantana trifolia - Leaves and flowers:Dick Culbert
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Photo of Lantana trifolia - 'Lavender Popcorn' Fruit and Leaf:Jim Robbins

Lantana trifolia Attributes

Lantana trifolia: Uses (Ethnobotany)

Crushed leaves are made into a tea and used to treat rheumatism, generalized body pains and indigestion. The leaves are also used to treat colds and ringworm. The roots are used to treat eczema. Stems, wood is used as fuel and for making brooms.

Lantana trifolia: Country Or Region Of Origin

West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America

Lantana trifolia: Wildlife Value

Nectar producing flowers attract pollinators, especially butterflies. Berries are a food source for songbirds.

Lantana trifolia: Edibility

Fully ripe (deep blue or black) berries are reported to be edible.

Lantana trifolia: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Lantana trifolia: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Lantana trifolia: Play Value

Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer

Lantana trifolia Fruit

Lantana trifolia: Fruit Description

elongated popcorn-like spikes of lavender fruits

Lantana trifolia: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Lantana trifolia: Fruit Color

grass
Black
grass
Blue
grass
Purple/Lavender

Lantana trifolia: Fruit Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Lantana trifolia: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Lantana trifolia: Fruit Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Lantana trifolia: Fruit Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Lantana trifolia Flowers

Lantana trifolia: Flower Description

Up to 2-inch flattened clusters of small 5-petaled lavender flowers

Lantana trifolia: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Pink
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
filter_vintage
White

Lantana trifolia: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Lantana trifolia: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Lantana trifolia: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Lantana trifolia: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Lantana trifolia: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Lantana trifolia: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Lantana trifolia Leaves

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Description

Dark green leaves are up to 4 inches long, rough-textured with serrated margins that grow in whorls of 3.

Lantana trifolia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Lantana trifolia: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Lantana trifolia: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Lantana trifolia Poisonous to Humans

Lantana trifolia: Poison Symptoms

Humans and animals may have allergic reactions if this plant is consumed or by coming into contact with sap from bruised or broken plant parts.

Lantana trifolia: Poison Toxic Principle

Pentacyclic triterpenoids

Lantana trifolia: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Lantana trifolia: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Lantana trifolia: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Lantana trifolia Whole Plant Traits

Lantana trifolia: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Lantana trifolia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Lantana trifolia: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Lantana trifolia: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Lantana trifolia: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Lantana trifolia: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Lantana trifolia Cultural Conditions

Lantana trifolia: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Lantana trifolia: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Lantana trifolia: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Lantana trifolia: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Lantana trifolia: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Lantana trifolia: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b
thermostat
11a
thermostat
11b
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Lantana trifolia: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Lantana trifolia Stem

Lantana trifolia: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Lantana trifolia Landscape

Lantana trifolia: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Lantana trifolia: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Lantana trifolia: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Lantana trifolia: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Lantana trifolia: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees

Lantana trifolia: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy