Grows well well north of its native range.  Documented in very southern counties with an outlier in Martin County -- that outlier is also unique in that it was collected near a cypress dome. Closely related to corn, this species has been crossed with maize to produce a corn that is resistant to Helminthosporium turcicum, the fungus that causes northern leaf blight  (Wikipedia). Listed as Threatened in Florida. Informal borders.

Specimen shrub. Fine foliage. Does well adjacent to structures or woods.

Called elephant's foot because of the flat basal leaf formation. Meadows and wildflower gardens.

Curiosity in wetland gardens.