any verbenaceous shrub or herbaceous plant of the tropical American genus Lantana, esp L. camara, having spikes or umbels of yellow or orange flowers. It has been widely introduced and is regarded as a troublesome weed in some places
Word origin
C18: New Latin, from Italian dialect lantana wayfaring tree
lantana in American English
(lænˈteɪnə; lænˈtɑnə)
noun
any of a genus (Lantana) of shrubby plants of the verbena family, growing in tropical and subtropical America and often cultivated as pot plants
Word origin
ModL < It dial., viburnum < Gaul < IE base *lento-, lithe, flexible > linden, L lentus