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LEBANON, OH -- I spotted this plant while on a short nature photography walk with my grandson, who is visiting from Texas. The flower didn't seem familiar to me, so I snapped a picture and keyed it out as Elephant's Foot. It is said to be native to the southeast United States as far north as Ohio... A "lifer" for me.
According to North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Elephant's Foot grows quickly to a height of 2 feet with pink or purple flowers. It is a wildflower that prefers average to well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It is in the Asteraceae (daisy family) native from Texas to the southeastern U.S.A. It can be found in its natural habitat of fairly dry woodlands and woodland borders or in disturbed areas such as roadsides, clear cut, or burned locations.
Heavy rain, with a high of 66 and low of 46 degrees. Fog in the morning, overcast for the afternoon,