Scientific Family
Geraniaceae
Other common names
storksbill
Texas filaree
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Similar species
Erodium circutarium
Height
4 to 20 inches
Riparian
No
Low growing plant is prostrate and mat forming.
Leaves palmately lobed, nearly or quite as wide as long.
Habitat
Prefers full sun in rocky or sandy soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are in clusters of two to three and have five unequal lobes. The central flower of the cluster generally blooms first.
Flower color
Purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Long stalked and lobed leaves have very prominent veins. Stems are reddish.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Segmented fruit has two smooth and sharply pointed beaks which can be curved or coiled depending on humidity.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Greenish-brown