Redstem Filaree (Erodium cicutarium)
8 April 2016
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Isle Du Bois
Pilot Point, Denton County, Texas
In a heavily mowed and trafficked area next to the parking lot at the Blue Stem Campground were several native and introduced wildflowers struggling to make their way into the world. Red Stem Filaree was one of these. In such instances the wildflower plants will appear somewhat stunted but their basic form still comes through and we present as much in our observation's pics of this particular introduced wildflower which is considered a weed in many parts of the world including United States and Canada. Its origins are in Mediterranean Europe, Northern Africa and Asia. It is a member of the Geranium family. Here's a quote from a brief online report on this introduced wildflower: "Redstem filaree is known to have been used in folk medicine and by native peoples. Young leaves and stems of the plant are edible, either raw or cooked. It serves as forage for grazing animals, and its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. However, it can serve as a host of diseases that infect such crops as beets and grapes. This plant is legally noxious in Colorado and Alberta and Manitoba, Canada, and invasive in several other U.S. states. Additional common names include Alfilaria, Cranesbill, Cutleaf Filaree, Heronsbill, Pinclover, and Storksbill." Redstem Filaree occurs throughout North America except for Florida apparently per the USDA's Plants Database range map. It occurs in Greenland and Alaska and is ubiquitous and presumably extends into Mexico and possibly beyond in the Western Hemisphere. This is an Old World plant that has adapted to conditions in the New World, to use the accustomed language. It's part of the so-called Columbian Exchange, which is ongoing.
Sources:
"Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hér. ex Aiton - Redstem Stork's Bill," Plants Database, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, range map, photographs, description, classification, resources, accessed 4.18.16, http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ERCI6
"Redstem filaree," detailed description, accessed 4.18.16, https://extension.usu.edu/weedguides/files/uploads/Geraniaceae.pdf
