Mediterranean stork’s bill (Erodium malacoides, W.Aiton, Hort. Kew. 2: 415 (1789))

Family: Geraniaceae

Author: (L.) L’Hér.

Bibliography: W.Aiton, Hort. Kew. 2: 415 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Erodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia to Pakistan and Somalia

Description

The Mediterranean stork’s bill, scientifically known as Erodium malacoides, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Geraniaceae family. Initially cataloged by W. Aiton in 1789 under the title Hortus Kewensis, this species was later given its current scientific classification by the renowned botanist (L.) L’Hér.

Erodium malacoides is a versatile species with a wide geographical distribution, ranging from Macaronesia all the way to Pakistan and Somalia. This extensive presence hints at the plant’s adaptability to various climatic conditions and soil types found across these regions.

The Mediterranean stork’s bill is known for its distinctive and attractive flowers, which have made it a subject of interest for both botanists and gardening enthusiasts. The species contributes to the rich biodiversity of the areas it inhabits and plays a role in the local ecosystems.

Understanding the characteristics and habitats of Erodium malacoides helps in appreciating both its ecological significance and its horticultural value. This plant’s diverse geographical spread underscores its resilience and the importance of its conservation in the face of environmental changes.

Common Names

Deu: herzblatt-reiherschnabel, malvenblättriger reiherschnabel
Eng: mediterranean stork’s bill, oval crowfoot, oval heron’s-bill, soft stork’s-bill, soft stalk’s-bill
Ces: bocianik slezolistý
Swe: kattostnäva
Cym: pig-y-crëyr dail hocys
En: Mediterranean stork’s bill, Oval crowfoot, Oval heron’s-bill, Soft stork’s-bill, Soft Stalk’s-Bill, Mediterranean Stork’s-bill
Ar: رقمة طرية
Ca: Agulletes, Filamaria comuna, Rellotges
Cs: Bocianik slezolistý
Fi: Pehmytkurjennokka
Fr: Bec-de-grue à feuilles de mauve, Érodium Fausse-Mauve, Bec-de-grue fausse mauve, Érodium à feuilles de mauve, Érodium fausse mauve, Frison
De: Herzblatt-Reiherschnabel, Malvenblättriger Reiherschnabel
It: Becco di gru malvaceo, Becco-di-grù malvaceo
Pt: Erva-garfo, Maria-fia
Sk: Bocianik slezolistý
Es: Cigüeña malva, Malva de África
Sv: Kattostnäva
Cy: Pig-y-Crëyr Dail Hocys

Synonyms

• Erodium malacoides var. macrophyllum (Lange)
• Erodion malachoideum ((L.) St.-Lag.)
• Erodium malacoides subvar. platyphyllum (Rouy)
• Erodium malacoides subsp. eumalacoides (Maire)
• Erodium malacoides var. genuinum (Rouy)
• Erodium malacoides f. platyphyllum (Rouy ex P.Monts.)
• Erodium malacoides f. laevifoveolatum (Maire & Weiller)
• Erodium malacoides f. althaeoides ((Jord.) Paol.)
• Erodium malacoides var. abbreviatum (Pérez Lara)
• Erodium malacoides var. subtrilobum ((Jord.) Lange)
• Erodium malacoides f. subtrilobum ((Jord.) Paol.)
• Erodium malacoides subvar. microphyllum (Rouy)
• Erodium malacoides var. tenuissimum (Lapeyr.)
• Erodium malacoides var. trilobatum (Jord. ex Nyman)
• Erodium malacoides f. microphyllum (Rouy ex P.Monts.)
• Geranium malacoides (L.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 1, 2019 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2019 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2019 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 9, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Eva B.S. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Eva B.S. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by yisus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2020 by parneodo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 10, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2021 by Angelos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2022 by Daniel schefer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Morató Roser (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Eva B.S. (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 19, 2021 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2020 by Vinciane Bertrand (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by blanca_de_centelles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2019 by Vera Ignacia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Alexis Joly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2022 by Martí Salvador (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9297163)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:372332-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erodium malacoides (L.) L’Hér.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6