Elephantopus carolinianus
Elephant's Foot typically occurs in low woods and along streams. It is valued for its late summer to fall bloom and large, attractive lower leaves. The bloom consists of many small flower heads which are arranged in compound inflorescences and looks a little like Chicory. Each individual flower head is subtended by leafy bracts and contains 2-5, tubular, pale lavender disc florets. A member of the composite family, the flowers of elephant's foot are not daisy-like in appearance because each flower head contains only disc flowers. Similar in appearance and closely related to the ironweeds (Vernonia). Large lower leaves provide the inspiration for the common name of Elephant's foot.
Elephantopus carolinianus prefers low, moist woods, ravines, streambanks, moist thickets, open woods. A delicate pale lavender member of the aster family. Listed as endangered in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Naturalizes easily to shady forest floors.