Velvet Lantana can be found in open woods, thickets, mesas, sandy loams, cliffs and dry soils of the South Texas Plains. It stands up to 6 1/2 feet tall and has a rhubarb odor. The leaves are about 1 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The flowers start as white with a yellow throat and then turn lavender or pinkish as they age. The young flowers begin in the middle of the bunch of flowers giving it the appearance of white in the center and pink or lavender on the outer edges. The fruit of this plant is bluish-black and edible. Velvet Lantana blooms from February to June. |