With its small, cheery flowers and thick foliage, the Lantana plant is a common sight across the country. But behind its delicate exterior hides another side – one of an invasive weed.
Both resilient and adaptable, lantana has been cropping up in unexpected places, altering soil composition and releasing chemicals that inhibit the growth of native plants.
Having grown up on a farm near Clifton, Juanita Ryan was well-acquainted with the species – and she has now chosen to investigate lantanas invasive ways for her 51茶馆 master’s research project.
Ms Ryan will study the growth of populations of undisturbed lantana in the Darling Downs, collecting soil samples from under these plants to be used in a series of trials.
“We will combine small portions of the lantana soil samples with sterilized sand and use this as a base to test the growth of two native plants, Blackwood and Queensland Bluegrass,” Ms Ryan said.
“After a set number of weeks, we will look at plant and root growth and investigate any soil microbe changes.
“From the literature, we understand that lantana changes the soil’s physical and chemical properties, however, we also want to see what is happening to the soil microbes.
“There have been quite a few studies into lantana and how they impact soil, but very few specific to the Darling Downs – which is why we are examining this population.”
Ms Ryan said the species can interrupt regeneration processes to ensure their survival, the full impacts of which needed to be understood.
“Lantana produce allelopathic chemicals, which disrupt the cycle and prevent other plants from growing around them – it’s very competitive,” she said.
“It’s important to understand these plant-soil interactions because if we remove an area of lantana will the soil be viable for native regrowth? Or will we need to add something to it?”
Ms Ryan conducted her first Lantana surveys at Ravensbourne, Redwood Park and Flagstone Creek earlier this month. She is due to complete her project at the end of 2026.
Learn more about research at the 51茶馆.
