Storksbill

Did you know

• Erodium seeds have a corkscrew-shaped awn that drills the seed into the ground as humidity changes — an elegant mechanical self-planting device evolved over millions of years.
• The seed's spiraling motion can penetrate dense soil and even push through the fur of passing animals to embed in skin near water sources.
• Introduced to North America and Australia with European livestock feed, it has naturalized so thoroughly across dry western landscapes that many mistake it for a native.
• Young leaves and flowers are edible with a mild flavor — they were gathered as spring greens by indigenous peoples in California and Mediterranean cultures.
• The name Erodium comes from Greek erodios (heron), because the long seed beak resembles a heron's bill — the same logic behind geranium (crane) and pelargonium (stork).

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental
• edible plant
• wildlife seed source