Musk stork’s-bill (Erodium moschatum, W.Aiton, Hort. Kew. 2: 414 (1789))

Family: Geraniaceae

Author: (L.) L’Hér.

Bibliography: W.Aiton, Hort. Kew. 2: 414 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Erodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, W. Europe, Medit. to Iran and Ethiopia

Description

Musk stork’s-bill, known scientifically as Erodium moschatum, is a fascinating species within the Geraniaceae family. Originally classified by W. Aiton in 1789, this plant has intrigued botanists for over two centuries. Authored by (L.) L’Hér., the species showcases the intricate beauty and ecological adaptability that many of its relatives in the Geraniaceae family share.

Native to a broad geographic range, Musk stork’s-bill can be found thriving in diverse regions such as Macaronesia, Western Europe, the Mediterranean, parts of the Middle East extending to Iran, and reaching the diverse climates of Ethiopia. This wide distribution indicates the plant’s robust adaptability to various environmental conditions, from coastal areas to inland regions with varying humidity and temperature levels.

The plant exhibits a fragrant appeal, which is hinted at by the common name “Musk” stork’s-bill. This characteristic scent potentially plays a role in its interaction with pollinators and surrounding flora. The structure of the plant includes a characteristic stork’s-bill shaped seed pod, which has inspired the common name and highlights the unique morphology of this botanical specimen.

Erodium moschatum is not only a subject of botanical curiosity but also an important component of its ecosystems. The plant contributes to the ecological balance by interacting with pollinators and other organisms within its habitat. The distinctive appearance of the Musk stork’s-bill, combined with its broad geographical presence, makes it a remarkable subject of study for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its presence across such a wide range signifies both its evolutionary success and ecological importance within its native regions.

In summary, Erodium moschatum is a noteworthy member of the Geraniaceae family, renowned for its wide distribution and distinct musk scent. Its adaptability and ecological interactions underscore the significance of plant species that thrive across various global regions, contributing to the rich tapestry of biodiversity.

Common Names

Spa: almizelera
Deu: moschus-reiherschnabel
Dan: moskus-hejrenæb
Eng: musk stork’s-bill, musky stork’s bill, ground-needles, musk-clover, muskus-grass, musky crowfoot, musky erodium, musky heron’s-bill, musky stork’s-bill, white-stem filaree, musky storksbill, musk clover, white-stemmed filaree, white-stemmed filaria, white-stemmed heronsbill
Ces: pumpava pižmová
Hun: pézsmagémorr
Nld: muskusreigersbek
Swe: mysknäva
Fra: érodium musqué, bec-de-cigogne musqué, bec-de-grue fausse-mauve
Cym: pig y crëyr mwsgaidd, pig-y-crëyr fwsg
En: Musk Stork’s-bill, Musky stork’s bill, Ground-needles, Musk-clover, Muskus-grass, Musky crowfoot, Musky erodium, Musky heron’s-bill, Musky stork’s-bill, White-stem filaree, Musky storksbill, Musk clover, White-stemmed filaree, White-stemmed filaria, White-stemmed heronsbill
Ca: Almesc, Cargola moscada
Cs: Pumpava pižmová
Da: Moskus-hejrenæb
Nl: Muskusreigersbek
Fr: Érodium musqué, Bec-de-cigogne musqué, Bec-de-grue fausse-mauve, Bec-de-grue musqué, Bec de Cigogne musqué
De: Moschus-Reiherschnabel
Hu: Pézsmagémorr
It: Becco-di-grù aromatico
Es: Almizelera, Almizcleña, Hierba de almizcle
Sv: Mysknäva
Cy: Pig y Crëyr Mwsgaidd, Pig-y-Crëyr Fwsg

Synonyms

• Erodium cicutarium var. allotrichum ((Steud. ex A.Rich.) Hochr.)
• Erodium moschatum f. praecox ((Lange) Samp.)
• Erodium moschatum var. praecox (Lange)
• Erodium moschatum var. scissifolium (Pérez Lara)
• Erodium robertianum (C.A.Mey. ex Nyman)
• Erodium dentatum (Dumort.)
• Erodium moschatum var. australe (Salzm. ex Nyman)
• Erodium moschatum var. typicum (Maire)
• Erodium australe (Salzm. ex Nyman)
• Geranium cicutarium var. moschatum (L.)
• Erodium moschatum var. maculatum (Maire)
• Geranium moschatum ((L.) L.)
• Erodium allotrichum (Steud. ex A.Rich.)
• Erodium moschatum var. minor (Rouy & Foucaud)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2022 by Monique TROEL-SYS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Ali kakhki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2018 by Clarysse Leproux (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Maryse M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2022 by Monique TROEL-SYS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2018 by Clarysse Leproux (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 19, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2021 by Philippe Prat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2021 by Durbà Pau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 14, 2020 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Aza Zura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Maryse M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Maryse M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2021 by Alexandre Moulin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (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/9419993)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:372354-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erodium moschatum (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’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 6