Description: The two upper petals form a curved trunk, while two lower petals flare into ears with a red-purple streak. The leaves are fern-like. The 4 to 12 inch spike is covered with white hairs.

Habitat: Moist Meadows

Edibility/Toxicity: Though the leaves of this plant have been enjoyed as a parsnip-flavored snack, ingestion is not recommended as this plant is partially parasitic and may be attached to a poisonous host.

Medicinal uses: This genus is recognized by modern herbalists as a mild sedative and muscle relaxant. Historically it was used to treat stomach ulcers, rheumatism, and urinary problems. Ojibwa Indians considered it an aphrodisiac.

Comments: While both elephant head species look like elephant heads stacked atop each other, and both species have fern-like leaves, they do have distinguishing features. This species is covered with white hairs, and the "trunk" is a lighter color—white to pink, rather than dark pink-red.