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Erodium moschatum - (L.)L'Hér.

Common Name Musk Storksbill
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places and rocky ground, mainly near the sea in Britain, mainly near the southern coast[245].
Range Mediterranean areas and southwestern Europe, including Britain.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Erodium moschatum Musk Storksbill


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:EugeneZelenko
Erodium moschatum Musk Storksbill
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:EugeneZelenko

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Erodium moschatum is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[161, 177]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Dysentery  Febrifuge

The plant is febrifuge[240]. A tincture of the plant is used in the treatment of dysentery[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A green dye can be obtained from the whole plant. It does not require a mordant[168].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny well-drained position and a limy soil or at least one that is not acid[1]. The bruised leaves emit a strong scent of musk[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in situ as soon as the seed is ripe in the late summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late spring[1]. It usually germinates readily[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq (north), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belarus, Ukraine (Kharkiv), Albania, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Egypt (north), Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Erodium cicutariumStork's Bill, Redstem stork's billAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM322
Erodium cicutarium bipinnatum Annual/Biennial0.0 -  LMHNM201
Erodium crinitumCrowfootAnnual0.0 -  LMHNM10 
Erodium hirtum Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM101
Erodium jacquinianum Annual/Biennial0.0 -  LMNDM101
Erodium malacoidesOval Heron's BillAnnual/Biennial0.0 -  LMNDM201
Erodium stephanianum Annual0.6 -  LMNDM021

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)L'Hér.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Mike Johnson (B.Eng & Hort Cert IV)   Sat Jun 2 2007

Burbidge NT & Grey M 1970 "Flora of the ACT" ANU Press, Canberra report E. moschatum as widely naturalised in S and E Australia and Tasmania, as well as the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Local name quoted is "Musky Crowfoot", More generally Erodium spp. are "Storksbills" in Australia. E.m is one of five intoduced and one native Erodium in ACT.

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