NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Elephantopus tomentosus

Common Elephant's-foot, Elephant's Foot, Devil's Grandmother

Scientific Name:	Elephantopus tomentosus
Genus:	Elephantopus
Species Epithet:	tomentosus
Common Name:	Common Elephant's-foot, Elephant's Foot, Devil's Grandmother
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	1-3 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Pink, Purple
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Dry
Bloom Time:	August, September, October, November
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Woodlands and woodland borders, usually fairly dry. Common in NC Coastal Plain and Piedmont, rare in the Mountains.
Leaf Arrangement:	Basal
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Not Recommended for home landscapes
State Rank:	S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	Leaves are mostly basal, although there may be a few small alternate leaves along the stems. Elephantopus carolinianus, Carolina Elephant's-foot, is also found throughout North Carolina, and has similar flowers but instead of basal leaves it has well-developed, alternate leaves along the stem.
In bloom Small though the flowers are, Elephant's Foot attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Paynter, Wilmington, 9.1.2013
Closeup of flowers Paynter, Wilmington, 9.1.2013
Plant structure The large hairy leaves flat to the ground give the plant one of its common names. The stem has few or no small leaves and divides into the flowering stalks. Paynter, Wilmington, September
Basal leaves Common Elephant's Foot (E. tomentosus) is very like its close relative, Smooth Elephant's Foot (E. nudatus). The leaves are wider and the dense hairs, especially on the underside, are spreading or reflexed, not appressed Paynter, Wilmington
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record