Blue Storkbill

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©Erodium crinitum Russel Best CC2.5, Erodium crinitum Russel Best CC2.5

Erodium crinitum


Annual, decumbent to erect, to 40cm high with hairy stems, leaf stalks and leaves, three-lobed and green. Small geranium-like flowers in a group of 2-6 have five blue petals 6-10 mm long with white or yellow veins. Long storkbill-shaped seedpod, bursts open in a spiral when ripe.


Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Native annual to 40 cm tall, hairy, with lobed leaves, blue geranium-like flowers with five petals and storkbill-shaped seedpod with an awn or bristle to penetrate the soil crust and aid germination. Largest leaves are three-lobed.

Biology

Annual. Occurs in all mainland States, in mallee scrubs, highly saline shrubland, woodland and grassland. Seed eaten by Galah Cacatua roseicapilla. Plants probably killed by fire.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Aug-Mar

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Geraniales
Family
Geraniaceae
Genus
Erodium
Species
crinitum

Introduced into Europe as a wool-weed.


Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native