Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill

A rather variable, prostrate or sub-erect annual that grows on well-drained, calcareous, sandy, gravelly or skeletal substrates such as sand dunes, dry grasslands, railways and disturbed habitats in urban areas, such as pavements and walls. It produces compact rosettes with leaves that are pinnately divided. The slightly zygomorphic flowers, which are either pink or occasionally white (see photo), are produced in spring through to summer. It is found throughout Britain but is most widespread in the southeast of Britain and largely coastal elsewhere, such as in Wales. It is a common species of coastal habitats in West Glamorgan, particularly on sand dunes and open mosaic sites but it is also found sporadically in skeletal urban habitats, such as pavements and along the edges of gravelled forest roads. It is sometimes divided into subspecies, of which Erodium cicutarium ssp. cicutarium is recorded more commonly in West Glamorgan. Other named subspecies include Erodium cicutarium ssp. dunense, which is a dwarf, coastal ecotype. However there seems to be too much continuous variation between them to warrant their status as distinct subspecies.

Native