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Shackleton et al. (2019) suggests role of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary

collaborations to understand perception of individuals and communities and provide a
conceptual framework for management of invasive species. Local ecological knowledge of

Soliga community in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka revealed
that after invasion of Lantana, quantity of Bamboo and grass understory declined and seed

germination and seedling survival of native plant species were also reduced. Further, Soligas
observed positive effect of fire on spread of Lantana (Sundaram et al., 2012). Thus, in order

to manage invasion of alien species, role of traditional ecological knowledge should also be

given appropriate attention.
Knowledge about potential disperser can help in desigining effective conservation

strategies for control of invasive plant species. Efforts have been made to identify the

potential dispersing agents of fleshy fruited Lantana plants. For example, a detailed study in
Gala´pagos Islands found seeds of Lantana in droppings of lava lizards, mockingbirds,

flycatcher and giant tortoise suggesting the active role of birds and reptiles in its dispersal to a
broad range of environments (Heleno et al., 2013). Its high adapatibility to survive in drought

conditions and showing resistance to browsing due to high tannin content, autocompatibility,
pollination by different insects, high seed output etc. are some of the important reasons for its

global invasion.

Despite depiction of its negative impact in non-native regions, a recent study by
Mukherjee et al. (2021) have shown strong positive role of Lantana for conservation and

maintenance of Butterfly abundance in Purulia, West Bengal, India. There are many studies
and practices which exhibits eco-friendly potential of Lantana towards a sustainable future in

positive sense. The present chapter will focus on its ethnobotanical, ecological and economic
values to utilize it as a green bioresource for benefit of humanity.

Ethnobotanical uses

Man has been utilizing plants which are growing in their near vicinity for various
objectives. Lantana is not an exception and people are using it across the globe for diverse

purposes. Different parts of Lantana are utilized to treat several human ailments by local

communities in India. These ethnomedicinal uses have been given in Table 1. Not only
human ailments, leaves of Lantana have also been used to heal wounds of animals by

indigenous communities in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh states of India
(Jain and Jain, 2016).

Its fruits are consumed as edible in Rewalsar Himalaya, Nilgiris, Manipur, eastern
Rajasthan and Lakshadweep islands in India (Jain, 1991; Jain and Jain, 2016) and western

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