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Erodium cicutarium - (L.)L'Hér.

Common Name Stork's Bill, Redstem stork's bill
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy dunes, grassland, arable land, waste areas, roadsides, railway embankments etc, usually near the sea[9].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, the Himalayas and Japan.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Erodium cicutarium Stork


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erodium_cicutarium_Sturm8.jpg
Erodium cicutarium Stork
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:NaturKamera

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Erodium cicutarium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Stem
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb[2, 62, 84, 85, 183]. Harvested in the spring before the plant flowers[257], they are tasty and nutritious[207]. The leaves are added to salads, sandwiches, soups etc[9], they can be used in recipes that call for leaves of beet, plantain, sow thistle or amaranth[183]. Young stems - raw[257]. Root - chewed by children as a gum[257].

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  Galactogogue  Haemostatic  Miscellany  Poultice

The whole plant is astringent and haemostatic{9, 13, 21]. It has been used in the treatment of uterine and other bleeding[9]. The root and leaves have been eaten by nursing mothers to increase the flow of milk[257]. Externally, the plant has been used as a wash on animal bites, skin infections etc[257]. A poultice of the chewed root has been applied to sores and rashes[257]. A tea made from the leaves is diaphoretic and diuretic[222]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of typhoid fever[257]. The leaves are soaked in bath water for the treatment of rheumatism[222]. The seeds contain vitamin K, a poultice of them is applied to gouty typhus[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Miscellany  Weather forecasting

A green dye is obtained from the whole plant. It does not require a mordant[168]. The remnants of the styles are very hygroscopic, they can be used in hygrometers and as weather indicators[46, 61]. The dried plant powder has been mixed with watermelon seeds during storage and planting in order to prevent watermelon disease[257].

Special Uses

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]. Plants are likely to be resistant to maritime exposure[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

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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]. Germination usually takes place within 3 weeks[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 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 moschatumMusk StorksbillAnnual/Biennial0.5 5-9  LMNDM211
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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)L'Hér.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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

Readers comment

jon felton   Thu Feb 22 2007

also grows on beaches in the falkland islands

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

Widely naturalised in S and eastern Australia, including Australian Capital Territory. Other (US) references as to edibility are A Crowhurst "The Weed Cookbook" and Olsen LD "Outdoor Survival Skills"

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Subject : Erodium cicutarium  
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