Elephantopus scaber
Family: Asteraceae
Common Name: Prickly Leaved Elephant’s Foot
Origin: according to the USDA website, it is Native to East Tropical Africa, West-Central Tropical Africa, South Tropical Africa, China, Japan, Indian Subcontinent, Malaysia, Australias. It is considered naturalized in the Philippines
Reference: Stuartxchange and other sources
- Plant description (from Medicinal Plants of Bangladesh): Erect herb, up to 38 cm high; rootstock short, giving off many stout fibrous roots. Leaves 12.5-20 cm long, mostly radical forming a spreading rosette on the ground, obovate-oblong, coarsely serrate-dentate, hairy. Heads numerous, sessile, closely packed, forming a large flat-topped terminal inflorescence, nearly 2.5 cm across, and surrounded at the base by three large, broadly ovate, leafy bract. Flowers small, violet.
- it has known medicinal uses
- The leaf poultice is used as antidote for insect bite. (from Indiavideo.org)
- It is related to Carolina Elephant’s Foot Elephantopus carolinianus, an endangered plant in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (from the USDA website)
- According to Stuartxchange, “Dila-dila is a shared common name by many different species of plants: (1) Onychium siliculosum: Buhok-virgin (Tag.); dila-dila (Tag) (2) Nopalea cochinellifera: Dila-dila (Ilk.); dilang baka (Tag.) (3) Elephantus scaber: Dila-dila (Tag.), kabkabron (Ilk.); prickly leaved elephant’s food (Engl.) (4) Pseudoelephantopus spicatus: Dila-dila (Tag.); dilang-aso (Tag.) Kabkaron (Ilk.)
- I was able to ID this plant myself by looking at the photos of Asteraceae in Phyto Images!
- I suddenly noticed this plant all over the grass. It wasn’t there before.
most of the leaves are near the ground 
flower 
firm stem 
I should have taken better pictures of the leaves 
note the triangular shape 
flowers 
note the three leaves around the flower 
close up 
close up of the big leaves at the base of the plant weeds and other plants
Tonji and Sylvia's Wildlife Refuge 
Hello! I am a Human Biology student from De La Salle University-Dasmarinas and I was wondering if this plant is still prominent in your farm. I’m going to conduct a research about the anti-angiogenicity of this species and my research partner and I would greatly appreciate if we could obtain a sample for authenticity for this research. You can reach me through my email address.
Thank you,
Doty
Hi Doty, that plant is still growing all over the farm. I could try putting some in a seedling bag for you.
Good evening! I am a high school student from Caloocan City Science High School. I am wondering if this plant is still available in your place? Our group will conduct a study about the larvicidal effect of this plant on Mosquitoes. We would really appreciate if we can get a sample of this plant to authenticate for our research.
Thank you,
Lois
Good day! 🙂 I’m Nico and a post-graduate student from Our Lady of Fatima University. I am wondering if this plant is still available for collection? We are currently conducting a research for its anti-platelet aggregation effects and it would be a big help for us if we are to proceed. We are willing to make any business negotiations with you. Thank you!
You may reach me in my e-mail 🙂 nico_de_vera@yahoo.com