Elephantopus scaber

• Botanical Name : Elephantopus scaber L.
• Common Name : Bhopatri, Elephant Foot, Prickly-Leaved Elephant's Foot
• Plant Family : Asteraceae (Compositae)

• According to the Rules of ICBN the names of the families should end in -aceae. Thus the new name for the family Compositae became Asteraceae. However, the name Compositae is also exempted and conserved under 'Nomina Conservanda' because of their constant use for a long time.

• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 5, 13, 17, 25, 30
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra

About Elephantopus scaber Plant :

• Habit : An erect, annual or perennial herb; rootstock short giving off many stout roots; the root stock seems to be at least biennial.
• Leaves : Generally coming out at the surface of the ground, and laying flat forming a large rosette.
• Inflorescence : Scape-like Head (Capitulum).
• Flowers :
  • 2-5 flowers in very small heads but are united to form a head-like cluster, enclosed by three large, leafy bracts.
  • Regular, purple in colour.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : September-December
• Significance :
  • The plant is mucilaginous, astringent and tonic.
  • A decoction of the roots and leaves is used as emollient and is given in dysuria, diarrhea, dysentery and swelling or pains in the stomach.
  • The root is given to arrest vomiting, powdered with pepper it is applied in tooth-ache.
  • Bruined leaves boiled in coconut oil are applied to ulcers and eczema.