Texas Stork’s Bill (Erodium texanum)
Description: Texas storks-bill or fillaree is a low-growing plant. Its long-stalked, oval leaves, with three rounded lobes, form an initial rosette close to the ground. From this rosette, horizontal stems extend to 15 in. The purple, five-petaled flowers bloom in clusters of two to three, opening late in the day and closing in the morning, except on cloudy days. Prominent yellow anthers contribute to the showy character. The blossoms are sensitive to light, opening late in the day and closing in the morning, except when it is cloudy. Beaks on the seed pods resemble storks bills; thus the common name. During low humidity the tip coils, but straightens again when the humidity is high. In this way the seeds are dispersed.
Family: Geraniaceae
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ERTE13
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Color: Red, Purple
Bloom Time: Mar, Apr
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirements: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes: Soil Description: Rocky or sandy soils on limestone.
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.
