Musk stork's-bill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Musk stork's-bill |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erodium
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| Species: |
moschatum
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Erodium moschatum, also known as musk stork's-bill or whitestem filaree, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the geranium family. This plant is often considered a weed and grows as an annual (meaning it lives for one year) or a biennial (living for two years).
The musk stork's-bill is originally from parts of Eurasia and North Africa. However, it has spread to many other continents. It is now an introduced species in these new places, meaning humans brought it there, either on purpose or by accident.
What it Looks Like
When it first starts to grow, Erodium moschatum forms a flat group of leaves close to the ground. This is called a rosette. Each leaf can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves are made up of many smaller leaflets. These leaflets are oval-shaped and have deep lobes and toothed edges. A central vein runs through each leaf. This vein is usually hairy, white, and looks a bit like a stem. The plant can grow to about half a meter (about 20 inches) tall. It has lots of fuzzy, green leaves.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the musk stork's-bill are small. Each flower has five sepals, which are like small leaf-like structures that protect the bud. Behind these sepals are five purple or lavender petals. Each petal is a little over one centimeter long. After the flower blooms, it produces a special kind of fruit. This fruit has a small, sticky body and a long, green style. The style can be up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long.
Uses of the Plant
Just like its relative, Erodium cicutarium, the musk stork's-bill is an edible plant. This means that parts of the plant can be eaten.
