Chemical Ecology and Allelopathic Nature of Lantana camara L.: Role of Secondary Metabolites in Plant Invasion Biology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i2.8Keywords:
Lantana camara, Secondary metabolites, Allelopathy, Phytochemicals, Invasive plant ecology, Chemical interactionsAbstract
Lantana camara L. is a flowering shrub native to tropical America, but today it has spread widely in many parts of the world as an invasive plant. One important reason behind its successful spread is the presence of many secondary metabolites and other bioactive compounds. These chemicals help the plant survive under different environmental conditions and protect it from insects, microbes, and grazing animals. The article provides an overview of the chemical ecology, allelopathic potential, and localization of important phytochemicals across various plant parts. L. camara contains several phytochemicals such as triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids. Together, these compounds help the plant compete strongly with nearby vegetation. In many studies, extracts and residues from leaves, roots, flowers, stems, fruits, and even rhizosphere soil showed inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth of many monocot and dicot plants. Different plant parts contain different types of metabolites, and this variation may help the plant adapt easily to changing environmental conditions. The allelopathic nature of L. camara is considered one of the major reasons for its ecological dominance in invaded areas. At the same time, some of these compounds also show useful medicinal and biocontrol potential. Therefore, understanding the phytochemistry and ecological effects of this plant may help in better ecosystem management and future utilization of its bioactive compounds.
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