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Common Elephant's-Foot

How to identify Common Elephant's-Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus)

Common Elephant's-Foot, also known as Elephant's Foot

Common Elephant's-Foot is distinguished by its rosette of basal leaves that sprawl across the ground. These large leaves can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and have a woolly texture. In the summer to fall, common Elephant's-Foot produces tall, central stems that can reach heights of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm). Atop these stems, clusters of small, purple flowers bloom, each with a bristly appearance. The overall structure of common Elephant's-Foot gives it a robust and somewhat brambly look.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common Elephant's-Foot

1

Rosette of large, woolly basal leaves, up to 8 inches (20 cm) long.

2

Distinctive purple flowers with bristly appearance, growing in clusters atop tall stems.

3

Fruit is a 3 mm (0.1 inches) achene with ribbing and a cluster of 5 bristles.

4

Veined leaves, with upper leaves elliptic to oblong-elliptic, lower leaves oblong-obovate.

5

Stem covered in small hairs, slightly woody appearance, average thickness of 0.1 inches (2.5 mm).

Common Elephant's-FootCommon Elephant's-FootCommon Elephant's-FootCommon Elephant's-FootCommon Elephant's-Foot

Detailed Traits of Common Elephant's-Foot

Leaf Features

The leaves of common Elephant's-Foot are veined and typically found lying flat on the ground, though some alternate leaves may appear along the stem. The upper leaves measure 7-8 cm (2.8-3.1 in) long and 1.5-2 cm (0.6-0.8 in) wide, shaped elliptic to oblong-elliptic (oval to elongated oval). The lower leaves are larger, 8-20 cm (3.1-7.9 in) long and 3-5 cm (1.2-2 in) wide, and shaped oblong-obovate (elongated to egg-shaped with a wider base).

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Flower Features

Common Elephant's-Foot boasts distinctive flowers grouped in head forms, arranged in panicles or corymbs. Each capitulum, a type of compound flower, contains 12-20 compactly arranged florets in a single plane. The flowers, which bloom from August to November, feature 4-5 lobed, funnel-shaped disk florets that are typically pink or purple, and occasionally white. Each floret is about 5-6 mm (0.2-0.24 inches) long. The flowers are surrounded by three conspicuous bracts, adding to their unique appearance.

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Stem Features

The stem of common Elephant's-Foot is notable for its dense covering of small hairs, giving it a distinctly fuzzy texture. It generally has a sparse distribution of small leaves. The stem is an average thickness of around 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) and can branch into multiple flowering stalks, often appearing slightly woody as it ages. The coloration is typically green but can have a brownish tint near the base.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of common Elephant's-Foot is a type of achene, typically 3 mm (about 0.1 inches) in length. These dry, indehiscent fruits bear a single seed within. They have an oblong to linear shape, featuring distinct ribbing and a hairy surface. At one end of the achene, there is a prominent feature—a cluster of 5 bristles, collectively referred to as a pappus. This pappus is integral to the fruit's dissemination strategy, catching onto passing animals or being carried away by the wind, enabling seed distribution beyond the immediate vicinity of the parent plant.

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Key Facts About Common Elephant's-Foot

Attributes of Common Elephant's-Foot
Plant Height
61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Color
Pink
Purple
White
Lavender
Stem Color
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Common Elephant's-Foot

Family
Daisy
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Species
Common Elephant's-Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus)
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Distribution Map of Common Elephant's-Foot

Common Elephant's-Foot is a plant with a native range that spans parts of the subtropical and tropical Americas. Its reach has expanded beyond its indigenous borders, with introductions into various countries across Asia and South America. It thrives in a variety of habitats within these major regions, marking its presence outside of its original ecosystem.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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