Elephantopus is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae (order Asterales). The genus comprises roughly 25 accepted species of herbaceous plants, recognizable by their clustered, button-like flower heads subtended by large leafy bracts. Most species produce a rosette of broad basal leaves — a feature reflected in the genus name — and bear small purple or whitish florets gathered into compact, composite heads.
The genus has a broadly pantropical and subtropical distribution, occurring across much of Africa, southern Asia, Australia, and the Americas. In North America, several species — including E. carolinianus, E. elatus, E. nudatus, and E. tomentosus — are native to the southeastern and south-central United States. Elephantopus scaber is native to China, India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia, and has been widely naturalized across tropical Africa, Madagascar, and Latin America. Elephantopus mollis originates in Latin America and the West Indies but is similarly naturalized throughout the tropics.
Several species have attracted scientific and ethnobotanical interest. E. scaber is used in traditional medicine across Asia and contains elephantopin, a germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone with two lactone rings and an epoxide group. E. mollis and E. carolinianus have also been investigated for their medicinal properties.
Etymology
The genus name Elephantopus derives from the Greek words elephantos (elephant) and pous (foot). The name most likely refers to the large, flat basal leaves characteristic of many species in the genus.
Distribution
Elephantopus is widespread across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Several species are native to the southeastern United States, while E. scaber is native to China, India, and Southeast Asia. E. mollis, originally from Latin America and the West Indies, has become extensively naturalized throughout tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Cultural Uses
Elephantopus scaber is used in traditional medicine in Asia, and its constituent elephantopin — a sesquiterpene lactone — has been a subject of phytochemical study. Elephantopus mollis and E. carolinianus have also been investigated for medicinal properties.
