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, Temp. Eurasia to N. & NE. Africa
Description
Redstem stork’s bill, known scientifically as Erodium cicutarium, is a fascinating and widespread plant species within the Geraniaceae family. First officially recognized in the 18th century by W. Aiton in the Hortus Kewensis, this plant has since been thoroughly examined and categorized by botanists, with contributions by notable figures such as (L.) L’Hér.
Erodium cicutarium thrives across a vast geographical range that stretches from the temperate regions of Eurasia to the arid landscapes of northern and northeastern Africa, and even to the Macaronesia islands. This indicates the plant’s remarkable adaptability to different environmental conditions, whether they be temperate climates, semi-arid regions, or the unique ecosystems found on islands in the North Atlantic.
The unique appearance of the Redstem stork’s bill contributes to its identification and study. The plant is characterized by its delicate, fern-like foliage and distinct red stems. Its small, pink to purple flowers are particularly notable, each possessing five petals. These flowers often bloom in clusters, creating an attractive display that not only delights the eye but also draws in pollinators. The fruit of the Redstem stork’s bill is equally distinctive, with elongated seed pods that resemble the beaks of storks – a feature that has inspired its common name.
Beyond its aesthetics, Erodium cicutarium holds a fascinating role in both ecology and traditional practices. In many regions, it is considered an important part of the local flora, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of the ecosystems it inhabits. Moreover, this plant has traditionally been used for various medicinal purposes, although such uses are generally considered part of folk knowledge rather than scientifically validated practices.
In summary, the Redstem stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium) is a resilient and widespread plant that displays both ecological significance and charming beauty. Its adaptability across diverse regions from Macaronesia to parts of Africa and Eurasia, combined with its distinctive physical characteristics, makes it a noteworthy species within the Geraniaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: alfilaria, common crowfoot, common erodium, common heron’s-bill, common stork’s-bill, heron’s-bill, red-stem filaree, stork’s-bill
Dan: almindelig hejrenæb, hejrenæb
Deu: gewöhnlicher reiherschnabel
Ara: dahmiyet el-ghazal
Nld: reigersbek, duinreigersbek, gewone reigersbek
Sme: bealdolottenjunni
Swe: skatnäva
Cym: pig y crëyr, pig y crëyr cegidaidd, pig y crëyr cegidog
En: Redstem stork’s bill, Afilerilla, Common Stork’s-bill, Filaria, Alfileria (redstem, Storksbill), ALFILERIA, California filaree, RED-STEM STORK’S-BILL, Cutleaf filaree, Redstem filaree, Alfilaria, Common crowfoot, Common erodium, Common heron’s-bill, Heron’s-bill, Red-stem filaree, Stork’s-bill, Redstem Stork’s-bill, Stork’s Bill, Common storksbill
Af: Horlosiewyster, Muskuskruid
Sq: Gjilpërqyqja
Ar: رقمة شوكرانية, Dahmiyet el-ghazal
Az: Durnaotu, Sikuta durnaotu
Eu: Lausarda
Be: Бусельнік цыкутавы
Bg: Цикутово часовниче
Ca: Agulles de bruixa, Agulletes de bruixa, Banya de bou, Cargola cicutària, Curripeus, Rellotges, Herba d’agulles, Herba de rellotge
Zh: 芹叶牻牛儿苗, 芹葉尨牛兒苗
Kw: Gelvin hwibon
Cs: Pumpava obecná
Da: Hejrenæb, Almindelig hejrenæb
Nl: Gewone reigersbek, Reigersbek, Duinreigersbek, Gewone Reigersbeck
Et: Harilik kurekael
Fi: Peltokurjennokka
Fr: Bec-de-grue a feuilles de cigue, Bec-de-grue commun, Bec-de-grue à feuilles de ciguë, Bec-de-cigogne commun, Érodium à feuilles de ciguë, Cicutaire, Érodium commun, Érodium à feuilles de cigue, Bec de grue
De: Gewöhnlicher Reiherschnabel, Reiherkraut, Reiherschnabel, Schierlings-Reiherschnabel, Schierlingsreiherschnabel, Hirtennadel, Schierlingsblättriger Reiherschnabel, Gemeiner Reiherschnabel, Schierlings Reiherschnabel
He: מקור-חסידה גזור
Hu: Bürökgémorr
Ga: Creagach
It: Erba cicutaria, Becco-di-grù comune, Cicutaria
Lt: Paprastasis dalgutis
Mk: Здрал
Nv: Dzílí biláshgaan
Se: Bealdolottenjunni
No: Tranehals
Fa: نوک لکلکی هرز
Pl: Iglica pospolita
Qu: Awja awja, P’isqu simin, Qulmalachin, Ñajch’a ñajch’a, Ñajch’a-ñajch’a, Ñaqch’a ñaqch’a, Ñaqch’a-ñaqch’a
Ru: Аистник обыкновенный, Аистник цикутовый
Sr: Жива трава
Sk: Bocianik rozpukovitý
Es: Aguja de pastor, Aguja de vaquero, Aguja española, Agujas de pastor, Agujas de vaquero, Agujas españolas, Agujón, Alfelitero, Alfiler de cigüeña, Alfiler, Alfileres de cigüeña, Alfileres de pastor, Alfileres, Alfilericos, Alfilerillo común, Alfilerillo de pastor, Alfilerillo hembra, Alfilerillo, Alfilerillos, Alfileritos, Alfilerones, Alfilerón, Alfileta, Alfileteros, Alfinelera, Cabeza de pájaro, Cigüeña, Cigüeñuelo, Espetones, Fileres, Geranio silvestre, Hierba de la coralina, Mata de alfileres, Peine de Venus, Peine de bruja, Peine de brujas, Peludilla, Perejilón, Picocigüeña, Picos de cigüeña, Reloj, Relojes, Relojicos, Relojito, Relojitos, Tenedores, Tintones, Yerba de la coralina y zapaticos de la Virgen
Sv: Skatnäva, Skatnävesläktet
Zh-tw: 芹葉牻牛兒苗
Tt: Гади көтүче энәсе
Tr: Saat otu
Uk: Грабельки звичайні
Uz: Laylaktumshuq, Qoramashoq
Cy: Pig y crëyr, Pig y Crëyr Cegidaidd, Pig y Crëyr Cegidog
Synonyms
- Geranium cicutarium var. album (Weston)
- Erodium melanostigma (Mart.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. praecox ((Cav.) Paol.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. pilosum ((Pers.) DC.)
- Geranium cicutarium var. pilosissimum (Gaudin)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. atomarium ((Delile ex Godr.) Batt.)
- Erodium pentalobum (Dulac)
- Erodium cicutarium var. chaerophyllum ((Cav.) Picard)
- Erodium melanostigma var. thalictroides (Delile)
- Erodium pimpinellifolium var. pilosum (Pers.)
- Erodium praecox var. escurialense (Pau)
- Geranium cicutarium var. praecox ((Cav.) Poir.)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. pimpinellifolium ((With.) Tourlet)
- Erodium cicutarium var. arvale (H.Post)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. ontigolanum (Guitt.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. triviale (Trautv.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. hirsutum ((Jord. ex Boreau) Brumh.)
- Geranium arenicola (Steud.)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. pallidiflorum ((Jord.) Nyman)
- Erodium immaculatum ((W.D.J.Koch) P.Fourn.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. arenarium ((Jord.) Rouy)
- Geranium moschatum var. pimpinellifolium (Weston)
- Erodium cicutarium var. cinereum (Merino)
- Erodium cicutarium f. pentalobum (Dulac ex Brumh.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. immaculatum (W.D.J.Koch)
- Erodium cicutarium var. genuinum (Rouy)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. dunense (Andreas)
- Erodium carneum (Jord.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. chaerophyllum ((Cav.) DC.)
- Erodium hirsutum (Schur)
- Geranium cicutarium (L.)
- Erodium primulaceum f. praecox ((Cav.) Cout.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. vulgare (Lej.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. filicinum ((Pomel) Batt.)
- Erodium glutinosum (Dumort.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. maculatum (W.D.J.Koch ex Paol.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. typicum (Posp.)
- Erodium danicum (K.Larsen)
- Erodium cicutarium var. hirsutum ((Jord. ex Boreau) Rouy)
- Erodium triviale (Jord.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. argenteum (Brumh.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. pallidiflorum ((Jord.) Lange)
- Erodium parviflorum (Jord.)
- Geranium cicutarium var. erectum (Weston)
- Erodium pimpinellifolium var. hirsutum ((Jord. ex Boreau) R.Knuth)
- Erodium dissectum (Rouy)
- Erodium cicutarium var. cicutaefolium (Thuill. ex DC.)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. praecox ((Cav.) Schübl. & G.Martens)
- Erodium filicinum (Pomel)
- Geranium cicutarium var. pimpinellifolium ((With.) Wahlenb.)
- Erodium subalbidum (Jord.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. parviflorum (Cav.)
- Erodium jacquinianum var. annuum (Lange)
- Erodium cicutarium var. arenicola ((Steud.) Speg.)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. pilosum ((Pers.) Corb.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. psilorhynchum (C.G.Westerl.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. primulaceum ((Welw. ex Lange) Pérez Lara)
- Erodium cicutarium var. estebani (Sennen)
- Erodium praecox var. baeticum ((Pau) Maire)
- Erodium pilosum var. chaerophyllum ((Cav.) Boenn.)
- Geranium chaerophyllum (Cav.)
- Erodium praecox f. vernale (Villar)
- Erodium cicutarium var. album (Gray)
- Erodium himalayanum (Royle)
- Erodium cicutarium f. subalbidum ((Jord.) Paol.)
- Erodium bipinnatum var. albiflorum (Merino)
- Erodium cicutifolium (Salisb.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. pusillum (Kunze)
- Erodium minutiflorum (Godr.)
- Geranium petroselinum ((L’Hér. ex DC.) L’Hér. ex Webb & Berthel.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. arenarium ((Jord.) Paol.)
- Erodium alsiniflorum (Delile)
- Erodium pallidiflorum (Jord.)
- Erodium melanostigma var. grandiflorum (Delile)
- Erodium chaerophyllum ((Cav.) Steud. ex Coss.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. pimpinellifolium ((With.) Hartm.)
- Erodium commixtum (Jord. ex F.W.Schultz)
- Erodium cicutarium f. pimpinellifolium ((Weston) Beck)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. dissectum ((Rouy) Merino)
- Geranium cicutarium var. chaerophyllum ((Cav.) Gaudin)
- Erodium cicutarium subsp. zairae (A.P.Khokhr.)
- Myrrhina inodora (Rupr.)
- Erodium millefolium (Willd. ex Kunth)
- Erodium petroselinum (L’Hér. ex DC.)
- Erodium cicutarium primulaceum (Welw. ex Lange)
- Erodium pimpinellifolium var. subalbidum ((Jord.) Cariot & St.-Lag.)
- Erodium praecox subsp. primulaceum ((Welw. ex Lange) Maire)
- Erodium romanum var. caulescens (Merino)
- Erodium verbenifolium (Delile)
- Geranium pimpinellifolium (With.)
- Erodium cicutarium var. subalbidum ((Jord.) Nyman)
- Erodium boraeanum (Jord.)
- Erodium pimpinellifolium ((Moench) Sibth.)
- Erodium cicutarium f. primulaceum ((Welw. ex Lange) Mendonça & Vasc.)
- Erodium praetermissum (Jord. ex Boreau)
- Erodium atomarium (Delile ex Godr.)
- Geranium pentandrum (Gilib.)
- Erodium moranense (Willd. ex Kunth)
- Erodium cicutarium var. viscosum (H.Post)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chad (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Gulf States (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuwait (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Oman (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Selvagens (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Alberta (introduced)
- Amur (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Chatham Is. (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile North (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Greenland (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Khabarovsk (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Labrador (introduced)
- Lesotho (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Magadan (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Manitoba (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Saskatchewan (introduced)
- Socotra (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 7, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 31, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Eva B.S. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 9, 2020 by llopis ferran (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2020 by Spolaor Dino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Manuel Barón (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2017 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 9, 2020 by llopis ferran (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Mar 10, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 12, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 31, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2019 by huy HO (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/9485490)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:372219-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
