Lantana

[Schoon]

I was wondering if Honey Bees are attracted to Lantana?

[MrILoveTheAnts]

I've seen a honey bee or two on some but usually they don't bother with it. (Also the berry it produces is deadly to eat) It's otherwise a pretty plant.

[dragonfly]

I have the old multi-colored variety that is pink lavender, and pale yellow. The butterflies love it, but I don't see bees in it. I have read that bees will work the golden-yellow variety though.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

I have just realized you're from the south. Lantana up here in New Jersey is an annual at best, but down where you are it grows into a fair sized bush. So perhaps if you have enough fair sized plants they might get more attention.

[lmehaffey]

Glad this topic came up....I just bought ten lantana plants yesterday and was thinking of putting them around the bird-baths where the bees get water. Guess I'll change plans and put the lemon balm there, instead.

[Shawn]

"The spread of lantana is aided by the characteristic of their leaves, which are somewhat poisonous to most animals, while their fruit is a delicacy for many birds"

"As a positive aspect, lantanas are useful as honey plants, and Spanish Flag (L. camara), L. lilacina and L. trifolia are sometimes planted for this purpose"

Found this at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantana

[MrILoveTheAnts]

I will not be eating the berries to this plant because Wikipedia said so.

[Scadsobees]

I will not be eating the berries to this plant because Wikipedia said so.

Pshaw!  You can't believe everything you read on the internet!!   I usually wait till I get a tummyache from random berries, then check it out on the internet .

[MrILoveTheAnts]

http://books.google.com/books?id=99Dr7v8JOKAC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Lantana+berries&source=bl&ots=e-fOR0GGHi&sig=NtBZYMl1XJwWGOxVEAxt0JRiizM&hl=en&ei=F1o4SsnJI4XKtgeF4ejlDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4

[Shawn]

Hope you didnt misunderstand me. I just found that topic but I would not try eating them. If they say you can only eat a certain thing during a certain time that usually is a sign that you dont want to eat it at all. I stick with the berries I know best.