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Elephantopus carolinianus Raeuschel. Common name: Leafy Elephant's-foot. Phenology: Aug-Nov. Habitat: Mesic to dry forests and woodlands. Distribution: S. NJ west to KS, south to s. FL and e. TX; allegedly West Indies, but probably only by introduction.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, Fl7, FNA19, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, K4, NcTx, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, SE1, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3, WV, Jones (1982). Basionym: Elephantopus carolinianus Raeusch. 1797

Links to other floras: = Elephantopus carolinianus - FNA19

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
  • Great Plains: FAC
  • Midwest: FAC

Heliophily ⓘ: 5

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image of plant© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect perennial of moist to dry forests and woodlands.

Stems: Stems simple or with forked branches above, very furry.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, winged-petiolate (lower leaves) and sessile (upper), oval to elliptic or even diamond-shaped, 2-8 in. long (reduced upward), shallowly toothed, furry beneath.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in clusters at tips of branches and surrounded below by unequal, triangular-oval bracts; heads lavender-pink, consisting of 1-several tiny disk florets, each with 5 narrow corolla lobes.

Fruits:

Comments:

Height: 1-3 ft.

plant sale text: Carolina elephantsfoot is an unusual perennial that is seldom offered for sale. It has lavender-pink flowers and is often found growing in dry forests and woodlands. Bloom consists of many small flower heads which are arranged in compound inflorescence. Once plants are established, Carolina elephantsfoot will grow quite well in dry shade and is quite drought-tolerant. It is a good nectar source for butterflies, and can be used as a ground cover.

bloom table text:

description: Erect perennial of moist to dry forests and woodlands.

stems: Stems simple or with forked branches above, very furry.

leaves: Leaves alternate, winged-petiolate (lower leaves) and sessile (upper), oval to elliptic or even diamond-shaped, 2-8 in. long (reduced upward), shallowly toothed, furry beneath.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in clusters at tips of branches and surrounded below by unequal, triangular-oval bracts; heads lavender-pink, consisting of 1-several tiny disk florets, each with 5 narrow corolla lobes.

fruits:

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code: 2

native range: eastern United States



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