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.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Erodium genus
- Erodium Reichardii RoseumStork's-bill
- Erodium macradenumHeron's Bill
- Erodium x variabile 'Joe Elliott'Stork's-Bill
- Erodium trichomanifoliumHeron's Bill