Musky Heron's-bill
Erodium moschatum
Introduced annual to 40 cm high with with hairy stems, leaf stalks and leaves, basal rosette of highly lobed green leaves to 15 cm long. Small geranium-like flowers in a group of 4-7 have five pink petals. Long storkbill-shaped seedpod, bursts open in a spiral when ripe.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Other Common Names | Ground Needles, Crowfoot, Musk Erodium |
| Distinctive Features | Has musk-like smell. Leaves are toothed and > 10 cm long. |
| Biology | Annual. Widely naturalised in disturbed sites, usually on moist, fertile soils. Major issue for sheep graziers as corkscrew-like seed contaminates wool and gets into the ears and eyes of livestock causing damage. The seed has an awn or bristle to penetrate the soil crust and aid germination. |
| Native Status | Introduced |
| Flowering Time | Jun-Nov. |