Erodium cicutarium

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Erodium cicutarium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Geraniales Family: Geraniaceae Genus: Erodium Species: E. cicutarium
Binomial name
Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hér.

Erodium cicutarium, also known as Redstem filaree, Common Stork's-bill, is an herbaceous annual, and in warm climates a biennial member of the Geranium Family of flowering plants. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and was introduced to North America in the eighteenth century,^[1] where it has since become invasive, particularly of the deserts and arid grasslands of the southwestern United States.^[2] The seeds of this annual are a species collected by various species of harvester ants.^[3]

The entire plant is edible with a flavor similar to sharp parsley if picked young. The plant is widespread across North America. The plant grows as an annual in the northern half of North America. In the Southern areas of North America, the plant tends to grow as a biennial with a more erect habit and with much larger leaves, flowers and fruits.

[edit] References

1. ^ Mensing, S; R Byrne (1998). "Pre-mission invasion of Erodium cicutarium in California". Journal of Biogeography 25: 757–762. Blackwell Science Ltd. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.1998.2540757.x. 
2. ^ Stampe, NE (1984). "Self-burial behavioiur of Erodium cicutarium seeds". Journal of Ecology 72: 611–620. British Ecological Society. 
3. ^ Harmon, GD; NE Stamp (1992). "Effects of postdispersal seed predation on spatial inequality and size variability in an annual plant, Erodium cicutarium (Geraniaceae)". American Journal of Botany 79 (3): 300–305. Botanical Society of America. doi:10.2307/2445019. 

Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1

Erodium cicutarium

Flower