Erodium cicutarium Family: Geraniaceae – Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium is the only species from this family represented at Arches National Park. Annual herbs; stems 1.97” to 2.6' (0.5 to 8 dm) long Leaves: basal and opposite above; compound; fernlike; 0.4” to 4.8” (1 to 12 cm) long Flowers: 5 pink to lilac petals; 5 sepals; 5, 10 stamens; 1 pistil; 1 style; usually radially symmetrical; in clusters; bisexual; petals 0.2” to 0.28” (5 to 7 mm) long Pollinators: insects (specifically bees, beetles, moths and butterflies); self-fertile Fruits: schizocarp which develops from a long-beaked pistil; dry which splits at maturity into one seeded closed segments Blooms in Arches National Park: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December Habitat in Arches National Park : widely distributed in open disturbed sites in different plant communities Location seen: Visitor Center area, park road mile 0 to 2, Devils Garden trail Other: The genus name, “Erodium”, is from the Greek “erodios” which means “heron” referring to the shape of the fruit. The species name, “cicutarium”, refers to the leaves which resemble the leaves of “Cicuta”, the genus name of water hemlock. This is a non-native plant. This plant was noted by explorer John Charles Fremont in 1844. |
Last updated: March 20, 2022