Erodium

Erodium is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Geraniaceae family, comprising approximately 120 species distributed across Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australia, and parts of North and South America. These plants are perennials, annuals, or subshrubs with five-petaled flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple, resembling Geranium (crane's-bills). Common names include stork's-bills in Europe and filarees or heron's bill in North America.

Taxonomic distinctions between Erodium, Geranium, and Pelargonium were made based on the number of stamens: five for Erodium, seven for Pelargonium, and ten for Geranium. Their fruit shapes also contributed to their names, reflecting bird imagery such as cranes or herons.

As of June 2024, there are 121 recognized species, including hybrids like Erodium × variabile 'Roseum', which has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its compact growth and rose-pink flowers. Erodium species serve as food plants for certain Lepidoptera larvae.

In cultivation, these plants are popular in rockeries and alpine gardens. Additionally, species such as E. cicutarium and E. moschatum are noted for their edibility.