Common Heron's-Bill
Erodium cicutarium
Introduced annual, upright to decumbent, to 40 cm high with highly lobed green leaves. Stems hairy and leaves coarsely so. Small geranium-like flowers in a group of 2-5 have five pink petals 4-7 mm long, often with dark lines or dots near base. Long storkbill-shaped seedpod bursts open in a spiral when ripe.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Other Common Names | Alfilaree |
| Distinctive Features | Young leaves have sharp parsley-like flavour. Deeply divided leaves < 10 cm long (including the stem). |
| Biology | Annual. Naturalised in all States, common and widespread in a range of vegetation types and in disturbed locations. Major issue for sheep graziers as corkscrew-like seed contaiminates wool and gets into the ears and eyes of livestock causing damage. |
| Native Status | Introduced |
| Flowering Time | Sep-Dec |