/flowers%20form%20in%20clusters%20at%20the%20top%20of%20a%20main%20stem%20UCI%20Ecological%20Preserve,%20Irvine,%20CA.%202-27-09%20099.jpg) Flowers form in clusters at the top of a main stem. Red-stemmed filaree has the most finely dissected leaves of all the local species. UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, CA. 2-27-09. © Joan Avise |
Red-stemmed filaree Erodium cicutarium The most widespread and one of the earliest plant introductions into California. It was found in adobe bricks of Mission San Antonio Padua and several others from 1771. It was introduced as forage for livestock. The California harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex anzensis) frequently collects Erodium seeds which germinate in dense rings around their nest entry in spring. At maturity the slender beak-shaped fruits burst open, splitting into five spiral-shaped parts which are propelled into the air. The style, with attached seeds, winds and unwinds with changes in humidity, thus burying the seeds in the ground. Back to Geraniaceae of Orange County, California |
/long%20beak-like%20fruit;%20Aliso%20+%20Wood%20Cyns.%20Wilderness%20Park,%20Laguna%20Niguel,%20CA.%20%204-05-08%20003.jpg) Long beak-like fruit; Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Laguna Niguel, CA. 4-05-08. © Joan Avise |
/%20Caspers%20Wilderness%20Park,%20San%20Juan%20Capistrano,%20Orange%20Co.,%20CA.%205-13-2006.jpg) Caspers Wilderness Park, San Juan Capistrano, Orange Co., CA. 5-13-2006. © Joan Avise |
/UCI%20Ecological%20Preserve,%20Irvine,%20CA.%202-27-09%20007.jpg) UCI Ecological Preserve, Irvine, CA. 2-27-09. © Joan Avise |
/finely%20dissected%20fernlike%20leaves%20form%20a%20basal%20rosette;%20San%20Joaquin%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary,%20Irvine,%20Ca.2-24-07.jpg) Finely dissected fernlike leaves form a basal rosette; San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, CA.2-24-07. © Joan Avise |
 West Ridge trail, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness trail, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 2-29-20. © Peter J. Bryant |
 West Ridge trail, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness trail, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 2-29-20. © Peter J. Bryant |
 The zoospores of a parasitic fungus form red pustules on the plant leaves, only of this species. They burst on contact, releasing a red liquid. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-5-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
 West Ridge trail, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness trail, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 2-29-20. © Peter J. Bryant |
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 W of Portola Pkwy and El Toro Rd, Foothill Ranch, 8-27-13. © Ron Vanderhoff |
 Erodium moschatum L, cicutarium R, San Onofre Station, San Onofre State Beach, 2-5-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
 Erodium moschatum L, cicutarium R, San Onofre Station, San Onofre State Beach, 2-5-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
 Erodium moschatum L, cicutarium R, San Onofre Station, San Onofre State Beach, 2-5-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
