Erodium cicutarium Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Her. – Heronsbill, Storksbill

Erodium cicutarium plant

FamilyGeraniaceae

Stems:

Erodium cicutarium stem

Leaves:

Erodium cicutarium leaves

Inflorescence:

N/A

Flowers:

Erodium cicutarium flower

Erodium cicutarium calyx

Erodium cicutarium fruitsFruits.

Flowering – March – November, but mostly all year.

Habitat – Fields, lawns, waste places, disturbed sites, roadsides.

Origin – Native to the Old World.

Other information – This attractive yet weedy species can be found scattered throughout Alabama. The plant is easy to identify becasue of its pinnately divided leaves, pubescent stems, pink flowers, and long-beaked fruits.
The genus name Erodium derives from the Greek “erod(i)” meaning “a heron” becasue of the long beaks of the fruits.
The species epithet cicutarium means “resembling Cicuta.” Cicuta is the poison Hemlock.

Alabama Distribution:

Erodium cicutarium map

Photographs taken off University Ave., Auburn, AL., 4-16-05.