Elephantopus Linnaeus. Common name: Elephant's-foot.
A genus of about 12-30 species, of tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions.
ID notes: The acaulescent species are easily and often confused with Vernonia acaulis, especially when sterile. Vernonia has leaves scabrous above and sparsely pilose to glabrate beneath; Elephantopus has leaves sparely pilose above, densely pilose or tomentose below. Vernonia leaves tend to have a more acute apex, and the veins above are more strikingly differentiated in their color (white or pink) from the adjacent leaf tissue. When in flower, the presence of subtending foliose bract below the compound glomerule of heads in Elephantopus (versus the absence of foliose bract below the simple head in Vernonia) is diagnostic.
References: Cronquist (1980); Jones (1982); Strother (2006b) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2006a). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Will Stuart | Elephantopus nudatus | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware | Elephantopus tomentosus CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Elephantopus tomentosus | Original Image ⭷
© Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay | Elephantopus carolinianus source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward; Elephantopus florets cluster in 4's, also each head of 4 has 8 total phyllaries (partially mature cypselae on right)) | Elephantopus carolinianus | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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