Elephantopus tomentosus – Carolina Elephantsfoot (B&B.DR.EC.GRD.H.NB.OP.RR)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Elephant’s foot is a wildflower in the Asteraceae (daisy family) native from Texas to the southeastern U.S.A.   It can be found growing in its natural habitat of fairly dry woodlands and woodland borders.  It may also be found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, clear cut, or burned locations.

It prefers average, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It has a short rhizome and grows quickly to a height of 2 feet with pink or purple flowers.  The leaves form at the base of the plants, are of various sizes, overlap each other around the stem, and lay flat close to the ground.  The flowering stalk has no leaves, with the exception of the bracts under the flowers.

Host for the Cremastobombycia ignota moth.  Large lower leaves can form a nice ground cover if plants are massed.