SafePlants

Redstem Stork's Bill (Erodium cicutarium)

Erodium cicutarium, commonly known as redstem filaree, redstem stork's bill, common stork's-bill, or pinweed, is a frequently encountered herbaceous plant. The plant's distinctive fruits are said to resemble the head and beak of a stork.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is also known as "Pinweed," which may suggest the presence of small, potentially hazardous parts.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is also known as "Pinweed," which may suggest the presence of small, potentially hazardous parts.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hér. ex Aiton
• Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species (also subspecies Erodium cicutarium ssp. cicutarium and Erodium cicutarium ssp. bipinnatum)
• Synonyms: Geranium cicutarium, alfilaree, alfilaria, filaree

Common Names

• Redstem Filaree
• Redstem Stork's Bill
• Common Stork's-bill
• Pinweed
• Storksbill
• Heron-bill
• Crane's Bill Geranium
• African Filaree
• California Filaree
• Cutleaf Filaree
• Heron Bill
• Redstem

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe.
• Found throughout California, up to approximately 6600 feet in elevation.
• Also found east of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and Washington.
• Grows in sandy dunes and urban flowerbeds.

Morphological Characteristics

• Herbaceous annual or biennial forb/herb.
• Grows from a rosette.
• Stems can be red, giving rise to the name "Redstem." Stems are one- to two-foot tall and can be low and spreading or erect.
• Branching, very green annual forb with dissected leaves.
• Purple flowers with five distinct petals.

Quirky Facts

• The immature fruit has a long, needle-like shape that is said to resemble a stork's head and beak.