Lantana radula

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Camara radula
• Lantana radula subsp. glabrescens

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Lantana radula, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Verbenaceae. Ultimately, it is placed within the genus Lantana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several regions in the Caribbean and South America. Within the Caribbean, its presence is noted throughout the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands. It can also be found in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to the mainland, the species is distributed across Northern South America. Specifically, its habitat includes the territories of both Guyana and Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lantana radula is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of specialized Brazilian ecosystems, demonstrating significant adaptability to various moisture and soil regimes. This species is commonly found inhabiting the high-altitude, nutrient-poor rocky outcrops known as Campo Rupestre, as well as the more humid environments of the Mata Atlântica, including Atlantic Forest remnants such as Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest), Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and moist corridors like Floresta Ciliar or Galeria. Furthermore, its ecological niche extends to the coastal sandy environments of the Restinga, allowing it to occupy distinct landscape gradients from coastal sands to dense tropical forests and seasonal woodlands.

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Lantana radula is characterized by its specific growth strategies and structural classifications within various ecological niches. Based on its developmental patterns, the plant exhibits a life form categorized as a phanerophyte, indicating that its perennating buds are located well above the soil surface, allowing it to maintain structural integrity through different seasonal cycles. Furthermore, it can be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form, a specialized sub-type of phanerophyte where the woody stems are relatively short, typically remaining below a certain height threshold while still keeping the vital buds elevated above the ground level. This combination of traits enables the species to navigate environmental stressors by maintaining persistent above-ground biomass.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Lantana radula is characterized by a woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a shrub. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. While it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior—remaining terrestrial rather than acting as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte—its structure is defined by its robust, woody stems. In terms of its physical habit, it is a self-supporting shrub rather than a climber or a creeping vine, maintaining a stable and upright presence within its ecological niche.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lantana radula has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Natural product communications

Chemicals

Lantana radula has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE, BETA-PHELLANDRENE, CADINENE, Copaene, Elixene.

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Natural product communications

BETA-PHELLANDRENE

1. Natural product communications

CADINENE

1. Natural product communications

Copaene

1. Natural product communications

Elixene

1. Natural product communications

beta-Cubebene

1. Natural product communications

psi-Limonene

1. Natural product communications