About
Erodium carvifolium is a member of the geranium family (Geraniaceae) and shares the Erodium trait of slender, beak-like seedpods. It produces five-petalled flowers in shades of white, pink or purple, flowering from May to September. Leaves are pinnate, reflecting the 'caraway-leaved' common name. The small flowers resemble those of true geraniums and are followed by the diagnostic elongated fruit.
About the genus
Erodium is a genus of flowering plants in the botanical family Geraniaceae. The genus includes about 120 species with a subcosmopolitan distribution, native to Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australia, and more locally in North and South America. They are perennials, annuals, or subshrubs, with five-petalled flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple, that strongly resemble the better-known Geranium (crane's-bills).
Wikipedia contributors, "Erodium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Erodium
In the garden
Erodium carvifolium sits within the genus Erodium, a group in the Geraniaceae with a broad, subcosmopolitan presence across Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australia and parts of the Americas. Members of the genus range from annuals to perennials and subshrubs, and share a characteristic five-petalled flower and pinnate leaf structure; the common English names (heron's bill, stork's-bill) refer to the long, bird-like fruit. Flowering runs from May to September, during which time the small, geranium-like blooms appear in white, pink or purple tones. After flowering, the slender, beak-shaped seedpods develop and provide a reliable identification feature when plants are not in bloom. Growth habit and cultural requirements vary within Erodium, so check supplier labels or authoritative garden references for species-specific hardiness and site needs before planting. For identification, note the pinnate leaves and the narrow, elongated fruit; these features distinguish Erodium species in mixed borders and collections. When selecting specimens, look for clear labeling of Erodium carvifolium to confirm the caraway-leaved form and its flowering period.
More in the Erodium genus
- Erodium Reichardii RoseumStork's-bill
- Erodium x variabile 'Joe Elliott'Stork's-Bill
- Erodium trichomanifoliumHeron's Bill