Creeping lantana is a low-growing, long-lived, creeping or trailing shrub (sub-shrub) introduced to Australia as an ornamental and now a weed in parts of Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. It can form dense mats or thickets, displace native vegetation, and invade pastures, roadsides, riverbanks and bushland. It spreads by seed (moved by birds and other animals, water, and mud on hooves/footwear) and by stems that root at nodes. It is poisonous to people and is suspected of poisoning cattle and calves.
Identify it
Field cues
01Low, creeping or trailing shrub forming dense mats along the ground
02Square young stems without prickles
03Opposite leaves that are small (about 2–3cm), toothed, and fragrant when crushed
04Compact clusters of small tubular flowers, commonly purple/lilac with a pale throat
05Small round fruit that ripen from green to reddish-purple/purplish-black
Distribution records are indicative. Always confirm current status with your state biosecurity authority.
Found in: pastures, roadsides, riverbanks, rocky hills, open woodland, eucalyptus forest, dry sclerophyll forest, disturbed areas, wasteland, alluvial flats, behind mangroves, native bushland.
Management commonly needs an integrated approach and persistence, because plants can reshoot from fragments and regrow after disturbance, and new seedlings can establish from seed spread by animals, water and mud. Dense infestations can form mats or thickets, so limiting movement of seed and plant material and maintaining competitive groundcover can reduce establishment. Follow-up is important to eliminate regrowth and new seedlings.
1
Remove small patches by hand
Pull or dig out isolated plants and small infestations, taking out roots. Collect all plant parts so fragments are not left on damp ground where they can reshoot.
2
Stop spread on boots and gear
Clean mud and soil from footwear, tools and machinery before moving to clean areas. This reduces movement of seed carried in mud.
3
Recheck and treat regrowth
Revisit controlled areas and remove or treat any regrowth or new seedlings until plants are no longer present.
Use chemicals to the label. Always read the current APVMA-approved label before application.
Check permit conditions for your state, as some uses are limited to council or government staff.
Aquatic situations require products registered for use in or near water.
Why it matters
Impacts
Displaces native vegetation
Can become dominant groundcover and readily displace native plants, including forming dense thickets that take over native bushland and affect biodiversity.
Invades pastures
Can invade native and improved pastures and replace desirable pasture species, including native pasture grasses.
Spreads via seed and fragments
Seed can be moved by birds and other animals, water runoff, and mud on hooves and footwear; stems can root at nodes and fragments can reshoot if left on damp ground, increasing spread risk.
Toxicity note (humans, cattle, calves, livestock): All parts are poisonous to humans, and the plant contains an unidentified nerve-damaging toxin that can affect calves via milk.
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