Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Nr Odzani R. bridge

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Synonyms:	Acacia elephanthorhiza DC. Acacia elephantina Burch. Elephantorrhiza burchellii Benth.
Common names:	Elephant-root (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Low growing suffrutex, arising from a massive underground tuberous root. The branched root system often forms extensive colonies of visible plants. Annual stems up to 60 cm. Leaves compound with an increasing number of pinnae higher on the stem. Flowers in catkin-like racemes produced straight from the ground, creamy-yellow,turning brown with age. Pods up to 22 cm, flat, woody, the persistent margins remaining after the seeds have fallen.
Notes:	See Elephantorrhiza burkei for comparison.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In grassland and open Acacia-Combretum scrub.
Flowering time:	Sep - Nov
Worldwide distribution:	Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Eswatini
Botswana distribution:	SW,SE
Growth form(s):	Shrub under 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Brenan, J.P.M. (1970). Mimosoideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(1) Pages 27 - 28. Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 219. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 14. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 64. Drummond, R.B. (1972). A list of Rhodesian Legumes. Kirkia 8(2) Page 215. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 82. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 45. Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 53, plate 78 Schmidt, E., Lötter, M. & McCleland, W. (2002). Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park Jacana, Johannesburg, South Africa Pages 176 - 177. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 65. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 210.

Other sources of information about Elephantorrhiza elephantina:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Flora of Mozambique: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Flora of Zimbabwe: Elephantorrhiza elephantina

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Elephantorrhiza elephantina
African Plant Database: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Elephantorrhiza elephantina
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Elephantorrhiza elephantina
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Elephantorrhiza elephantina
JSTOR Plant Science: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Plants of the World Online: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Tropicos: Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Wikipedia: Elephantorrhiza elephantina