Elephantopus tomentosus

Product Info

Common Elephants Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus)
Aster Family

This interesting little plant is underrated as a groundcover. Large basal leaves lay flush to the ground and prevent any weeds from germinating. This, of course, also prevents desirable plants from germinating well, so it is best suited for large and/or wild areas. It’s not picky about soil or light and tends to pop up in unexpected places. Deer will forage on flowering stalks, but basal leaves are left largely untouched due to inaccessibility. Bright purple flowers begin blooming in late summer and look great planted in mass.

Blooms: Purple, 3-4 weeks, Aug-Sept
Leaves: Large, hairy basal leaves of varying sizes lay flush to the ground–no leaves on flowering stalk
Height: 1-2’
Space: 12-18”
Soil: Average-Dry-Moist, tolerate poor soil
Exposure: Full sun-Part sun-Part shade
Fauna: Various bees, flies, small butterflies
Seeds: Stiff, spiky seed heads
Deer Resistance: Medium
Zone: 7-10?
Native Status: NC native, common in the Piedmont and Sandhills, rare in the Mountains
Provenance: NC, seed grown