Scientific Name
Lantana camara
Common Name
Lantana, red sage, shrub verbena

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Verbenaceae
Plant Description
Small, perennial shrub with spiny, square stems; leaves simple, opposite or whorled, toothed, fragrant when crushed; flowers in flat-topped clusters on a long stalk, each flower small, tubular, 4-parted, white, pink, or yellow, changing to orange or red; fruit fleshy, green becoming bluish black.
Origin
Southeastern USA.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape, in hanging baskets; landscape in flower gardens as cultivated woody shrub or groundcover.
Mode
Ingestion, contact dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
Unripe, green berries; skin irritation from the leaves.
Symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, labored respiration; the leaves may cause dermatitis.
Toxic Principle
Triterpenes (lantadene A & B).
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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