Answer: Central and South America
Notes: Lantana camara, an invasive alien species, now infests about 3,25,282 hectares of forest land in Himachal Pradesh, threatening native biodiversity. It was introduced in India in the early 18th century as an ornamental plant and is native to Central and South America. Lantana camara releases allelochemicals, suppressing native plants and reducing biodiversity by forming dense bushy layers. It is spreading from lower to higher altitudes, worsening its ecological impact. Its biomass can be reused for furniture, fuelwood, compost, and vermicompost, promoting organic farming and reducing reliance on inorganic manure.
