White-flowered elephant's foot
Elephantopus mollis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
An erect herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 15-60 cm high. It has rough hairs. The stems come from the lower portion of the stumps. They are 4-8 cm across and have lines along them. The leaves are usually on the stems and are broadly sword shaped. They are 5-20 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They form narrow wings on the leaf stalk and clasp the stems. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are white and tube shaped. They are in flower heads with bracts under them.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah woodland and in wet grassland savannah. It also grows in palm groves. In Argentina it grows below 1,500 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, Central Africa, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Fiji, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hawaii, Indochina, Marquesas, Pacific, Paraguay, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, West Africa, West Indies
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves - tea