Devil's Grandmother Elephantopus tomentosus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- el-eh-fun-TOE-pus toh-men-TOH-sus
- Description
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Elephant's Foot is a North Carolina native wildflower that grows in average, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. 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 and other clear cut locations.
Leaves form on at the base of the plant. These leaves are various sizes and overlap each other around the stem. The flowering stalk has no leaves, with the exception of the bracts under the flowers.
The leaves are eaten by wildlife.
It is native to the American tropics. Thought to be of medicinal value, it has been introduced to other locations where it has become an invasive weed.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: It has become an invasive weed in pastures and plantations in many locations. The growth habit (leaves forming just above ground level) tends to degrade useful land.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Elephantopus
- Species:
- tomentosus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- U.S.A., NC
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The flowers can be pink or purple, rarely white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are typically basal, however, you may find a few alternate leaves along the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stem has few (if any) small leaves and divides into flowering stalks.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
