Redstem Stork's-bill
ExplorePlants
Redstem Stork's-bill
Erodium cicutarium
Redstem Stork's-bill is a small plant with pretty pink flowers. It grows close to the ground and can be found in many places, making it a friendly sight in nature.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Redstem Stork's-bill has distinctive reddish stems and fern-like leaves, deeply divided and often hairy. Its small, five-petaled flowers are usually pale pink or purplish, standing out against its low-growing foliage. The plant's most unique visual feature is its long, slender, stork's-bill shaped seed pod.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGeranialesFamilyGeraniaceaeGenusErodium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
27
Interesting facts
It's sometimes called 'filaree' from an Arabic word meaning 'thread-like' for its stems!
Its name 'stork's-bill' comes from its long, beak-like seed pod!
This adaptable plant can bloom almost any time of year in warmer climates!
Young Redstem Stork's-bill leaves are edible and taste like mild parsley or celery.
Special abilities
Ability
Seed Driller
Redstem Stork's-bill has spiral seeds that can twist and 'drill' themselves into the soil for planting, especially after rain.
Ability
Humidity Sensor
The dried 'stork's bill' part of its fruit reacts to humidity, twisting to help fling seeds further away.
Ability
Tough Survivor
It can grow in very poor, dry soils where many other plants struggle, thanks to its resilient root system.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-50 cm
- Spread
- 10-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Helps spread pollen between flowers.
eaten by
European hare
Lepus europaeus
Young leaves and stems are a food source.
eaten by
Domestic sheep
Ovis aries
Often grazed by livestock in pastures.
eats
Cotton aphid
Aphis gossypii
Sucks sap from stems and leaves.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don’t touch plants without asking an adult, just to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Redstem Stork's-bill?
The easiest way to identify Redstem Stork's-bill is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Redstem Stork's-bill?
5-50 cm
How wide does Redstem Stork's-bill spread?
10-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Redstem Stork's-bill?
0.5-1 cm
When does Redstem Stork's-bill bloom?
Spring to Fall
Is Redstem Stork's-bill edible?
Yes
Is Redstem Stork's-bill toxic?
None
What is Redstem Stork's-bill's lifecycle?
Annual
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Apr 3, 2026
Grand Couleei
Photo attribution
(c) solidstate, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Feb 20, 2026
El Sereno Open Spacei
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 29, 2025
Glenrioi
Photo attribution
(c) Michael Thaibinh, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
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