With its delicate pink blooms and fern-like foliage, the Alpine Storksbill flower brings elegance to gardens and wild spaces alike. But where did this beautiful plant originate, and how did it earn its distinctive common name? The origin story of the Alpine Storksbill flower is an intriguing tale spanning continents and centuries.
A European Native
The Alpine Storksbill is native to the mountainous regions of Europe primarily concentrated in the Alps of Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria. This hardy perennial thrives in the rocky alpine terrain, able to withstand harsh conditions like cold temperatures, high winds, and nutrient-poor soils.
Its scientific name, Erodium, gives a clue to its European roots. The genus was named after the Ancient Greek botanist Erodios, who lived in the 1st century BC. The species name alpinum references the plant’s alpine mountain habitat.
Migration to the Americas
The Alpine Storksbill flower was eventually brought to North America by Spanish settlers in the 1700s It was likely introduced both intentionally as an ornamental plant and accidentally through contaminated soil or seed stock
Once arriving in the grasslands and deserts of the western United States, the Alpine Storksbill, also known as redstem stork’s bill, found hospitable growing conditions very similar to its native Europe. It adapted readily to the arid climate and quickly naturalized across the region.
Today, this hardy flower can be found growing wild from Mexico up through Canada and as far east as Virginia. It thrives in fields, roadsides, forests, and mountain landscapes.
The Story Behind the Name
So how did this delicate flower end up with the unusual common name of Storksbill? As it happens, the name refers to the distinctive shape of the plant’s immature seed pods.
As the seeds develop after flowering, the pod extends into a long spiraling beak-like projection up to 2 inches long. This unique form resembles the long bill of a stork, hence the colorful moniker “Storksbill.”
The “Alpine” portion of the name simply indicates where the original species was endemic. Other varieties such as the Bishop’s Storksbill may also sometimes be referred to as Alpine Storksbill.
Key Adaptations for Survival
One of the reasons the Alpine Storksbill has been so successful beyond its native range is its impressive adaptability. Here are some of the key adaptations that aid its survival:
- Shallow, fibrous roots easily absorb scarce water and nutrients
- Wiry flexible stems withstand harsh winds and weather
- Fine leaf hairs reduce moisture loss
- Spring-loaded seed pods spread progeny near and far
- Seeds remain dormant underground through harsh winters
These characteristics allow the Storksbill flower to flourish in the demanding alpine conditions it originated in, and be transplanted successfully to arid North American climates.
A Delicate Beauty Beloved by Many
With its graceful floral blooms and resilience in challenging environments, it’s easy to understand why the Alpine Storksbill flower has been cherished for centuries across oceans and continents.
Next time you see these delicate pink or white flowers growing in the wild, take a moment to appreciate the survival skills and beauty of a flower that has made an incredible journey from the European Alps to North American prairies and mountains. The Alpine Storksbill is a testament to the wonders of nature’s adaptability.
Erodium reichardii ‘Bishop’s Form’
Grows 3″h x 6″w. Bishop’s Form has deep green leaves that trail and hang as they spread. It has abundant pink blooms with defined veins, and flowers through June and July. Bishop’s Form is hardier than other Erodiums, and can tolerate Zone 6 temperatures.
Grows 3″h x 8″w. Charm has pink flowers with dark pink veins, and dark green scalloped leaves. It blooms from April to August. Hardy to Zone 7.
Varies daily, late April through October. Please contact us for current availability.
Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)
Genus: Erodium
Common Name: Alpine Geranium, Cranesbill, Heronsbill, Storksbill
Origin: The Mediterranean region has the most diversity of Erodiums, but members of this genus can be found in similar climates around the world.
Culture: Erodiums can succeed in nearly any spot in the yard, as long as they’re not in boggy soil or deep shade. They like sun and fast-draining soils, and should be planted 8-10” apart.
Established plants can be divided in the spring. In late spring, side shoots can be dug from the side of a mature crown. Be sure to include a small attached chunk of the parent crown with the side shoot.
Maintenance: Erodiums require very little in the way of maintenance. When they’re newly planted, they’ll appreciate warm-weather watering. Once established, they’ll take care of themselves, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy their beauty!
Pest and Disease: There are no pests or diseases common to Erodiums.
Erodium reichardii ‘Flore Pleno’
3″h x 8″w. This standout variety often has doubled blooms, and tends to have more and more as the plant becomes more established. It blooms from April to August. Hardy to Zone 7.
Grows 8″h x 18″w. This gorgeous species has creamy yellow flowers that bloom from April to October. The leaves are a dusty silver green, and have a more delicate, deeply cut shape than the reichardii varieties listed above. Hardy to Zone 7.
REDSTEM FILAREE California wildflowers, Erodium cicutarium; Common Stork’s Bill,Heron’s Bill,Pinweed
FAQ
Where did the storksbill come from?
What is the origin of the Murakami flower?
What is the origin of the cempasúchil flower?
What is a storks bill good for?
What does a stork’s Bill look like?
Common Stork’s-bill is hairy plant of dry grasslands, and bare and sandy areas, both inland and around the coast. Its bright pink flowers appear in May and last through the summer until August. The resulting seed pods are shaped like a crane’s bill (hence the name) and explode when ripe, sending the seeds, with their feathery ‘parachutes’, flying.
Where did stork’s Bill come from?
Ecologists assumed that stork’s bill was introduced in 1769 to California when Spanish priests established a mission in present-day San Diego. But stork’s bill pollen was found earlier, further north, in sediment cores taken offshore between Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands.
What does a storksbill do?
They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. storksbill, any of several flowering plants of the genus Erodium, in the geranium family (Geraniaceae), of worldwide distribution. Many species are wild flowers useful in garden borders and rock gardens; some are used for forage; and a number of them are weedy.
What is a stork’s Bill?
Common stork’s bill or redstem filaree, Erodium circutarium, is flowering now on the plains and in the foothills. Its blooms are small, just 10 to 15 mm across, but such a striking shade of deep lavender that they catch the eye. Each bloom has 5 petals, 5 stamens with anthers, and 5 styles.