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The sculptures of elephants, made of invasive plant species Lantana camara, displayed at Lalbagh in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The display, themed ‘Coexistence: the great elephant migration’, has travelled around the world promoting the importance of human-wildlife coexistence.
Indigenous artists from villages around Mudumalai and the M.M. Hills are behind the craft.
Lantana camara basic details
Origin: Native to the American tropics, but now found in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Habit: Perennial, erect or sprawling shrub that can grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall.
In some cases, it can even climb up trees and reach up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height.
Leaves: Broadly ovate, opposite, and simple.
They have a strong odor when crushed and can be rough to the touch.
Flowers: Small, tubular-shaped flowers arranged in clusters.
The flowers come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple.
Fruit: Small, fleshy drupes that turn from green to blue-black when ripe.
Growing conditions: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Can tolerate moderate drought and heat.
Uses: Often used as an ornamental plant due to its colorful flowers. Can also be used to attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Additional interesting facts about Lantana camara:
The plant is named after Lanfranco, an Italian physician and botanist who lived in the 16th century.
The flowers of Lantana camara change color as they mature.
This is because the pigment in the flowers breaks down over time.
The fruits of Lantana camara are poisonous to humans and animals.
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