Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 9419993

Musk Stork's-bill

Erodium moschatum

Also known as Whitestem Filaree, Musky Storksbill, Musk Filaree

Musk stork's-bill is a sprawling, rosette-forming herb named for the rich musky scent released when its pinnate leaves are bruised or crushed. Small pinkish-purple five-petaled blossoms bloom from late winter through summer, yielding distinctive long seed heads resembling the beak of a stork. Upon drying, these seed pods split into spring-loaded coiled awns that twist in response to atmospheric humidity, self-drilling the attached seeds into the soil.

FloweringAromaticWeedy
Musk Stork's-bill reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Tony Wills, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Wills · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Livestock
  • Rabbits
  • Slugs
ThreatsHerbicide application, intensive cultivation
HabitatsDisturbed ground, fields, pastures, roadsides, coastal turf
Life span1 year (annual or biennial)
Classification
  1. FamilyGeraniaceae
  2. SpeciesErodium moschatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Identify by Scent: Gently crush a leaf to catch the strong musky fragrance that gives the plant its name.
  • Observe Seed Movement: Place a dry seed pod on warm skin or damp paper to watch the awn uncoil.
Related species
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