

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.
Rosette of large, woolly basal leaves, up to 8 inches (20 cm) long.
Distinctive purple flowers with bristly appearance, growing in clusters atop tall stems.
Fruit is a 3 mm (0.1 inches) achene with ribbing and a cluster of 5 bristles.
Veined leaves, with upper leaves elliptic to oblong-elliptic, lower leaves oblong-obovate.
Stem covered in small hairs, slightly woody appearance, average thickness of 0.1 inches (2.5 mm).
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).
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.
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.
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.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Common Elephant's-Foot