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Common storkbill Facts

Common storkbill Facts
Common storkbill is herbaceous plant that belongs to the geranium family. It originates from Mediterranean region and temperate parts of Asia. Common storkbill has been introduced to North America and Australia, where it grows in abundance today. It can be found in the fields, gardens, near the roads, on the hillsides and sandy areas. Common storkbill grows on well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, exposed to direct sunlight. It easily occupies new areas and overshadows seedlings of the native plants (prevents their normal growth and development). Common storkbill is classified as invasive species in almost all parts outside its native range.
Interesting Common storkbill Facts:
Common storkbill produces several, multi-branched, hairy stems that can reach 4 to 36 inches in height.
Common strorkbill has sparsely branched taproot.
Common storkbill has pinnate, feathery leaves composed of sessile (leaves without petals) ovate leaflets. Leaves are covered with white hairs and arranged in the form of basal rosette (at the base of the stem) and opposite pairs (on the upper parts of stem).
Common storkbill produces pink flowers with dark spots at the base of petals. Flowers are arranged in the form of loose terminal umbel (umbrella-shaped inflorescence). Common storkbill produces flowers with both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers).
Common storkbill blooms from June to September. Flowers attract insects which are responsible for the pollination of this plant.
Fruit of common storkbill is elongated seed pod with beak-like tip, hence the name: storkbill. Ripe fruit explosively splits and ejects seed with miniature feathery parachutes which facilitate dispersal by wind.
Common storkbill is also able to bury its seed (to plant itself) in the soil thanks to unusual habit of fruit to twist like a corkscrew when the weather is dry and to straighten when the weather is humid. Twisting and untwisting of the fruit carries seed deep into the ground.
Corkscrew-shaped fruit can be easily attached to the fur and skin of animals and humans, which together with water play role in dispersal of seed.
Common storkbill can be used in human diet. Entire plant is edible when it is young. It tastes like parsley.
Common storkbill is used as animal fodder (food for cattle and horses) in some parts of North America.
Common storkbill is important source of food for caterpillars of brown argus butterfly. Harvester ants and rodents collect and eat seed of common storkbill.
Flowers of common storkbill are rich source of nectar. They can be used for the manufacture of honey.
Native Americans used root of common storkbill in treatment of sores and rashes on the skin and to relieve stomachache.
Common storkbill can be cultivated in ornamental purposes. It is especially popular in rock gardens.
Common storkbill completes its life cycle after one (annual) or 2 years (biennial).


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