Hi Dr. Hill,
I’ve been watching out for this one. I found it with the seed head back in February 2021 (the black and white shot) and kept watching to see what would come of it. This year, I found the large flat oval leaves that hug the ground with the stem about a foot tall with these lovely spiny green spindles. What is it? I keep watching to see if it will bloom but, I’m not so sure that these tops aren’t the blooms.
Thank you!
Hi Vickey,
this is the fuzzy elephant’s-foot, Elephantopus tomentosus, in the composite family Asteraceae. It is rather common throughout the state.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steven Hill, Botanist, SCNPS
Thank you so very much!