Storksbill

Erodium cicutarium

Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) is an invasive, sticky, hairy plant which grows in rossetes up to 30 cm across. It is widespread throughout New Zealand in drier coastal and lowland areas, and found in pasture, grassland and arable land. The leaves are pinnate, resemble ferns, and are divided into pairs of leaflets. The flowers are a mauve-pink colour, have five undivided petals, and are arranged in loose clusters on reddish coloured hairy stalks. Flowering is September to May.

The seeds are contained in a long seed-pod which resembles the bill of a stork. When ripe the seed-pod bursts open into five strips, launching the seeds like little parachutes, or by means of the strips which have seeds attached to them, burying themselves into loose soil.

Cotyledons:

Violin-shaped
Apex rounded
Base indented
Long-stalked.

Leaves:

Elongated
Lobed

Related Pests

Scentless Chamomile

Matricaria perforata

Scentless Chamomile (Matricaria perforata) is a bushy annual or biennial plant that grows to 60 cm and is wholly or almost scentless. It has an erect stem, with branches only from mid stem upwards. The leaves are fern like and sticky. The flowers are large, with twelve white petals, with central yellow disc florets, giving the flower a daisy-like appearance. They appear singly on stems and branches between December and March.

Found in moist disturbed areas such as roadsides, cropland, pasture, drainage ditches and waste areas. The seeds are 2 mm, dark brown with a raise edge, and each plant produces 10,000 - 200,000 seeds which germinate in shallow soil.

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a widespread, very resistant weed, it is found in the North and South Island in areas of cultivated land and roadsides. Commonly seen in winter, it does not favour drier conditions. It is a problem in small grain crops such as barley, causing up to 80% yield losses. It a low growing spreading annual (up to 40 cm) with, light green soft leaves, (lighter underneath) up to 2 cm long. The leaves are in opposite pairs on hairy stalks. Flowers are white, about 1 cm in diameter, with 5 deeply divided petals that appear to be 10 petals. Chickweed flowers and sets seeds simultaneously. The seeds are contained in green egg-shaped capsules, and one plant produces about 15,000 seeds, which remain capable of germination in the soil for up to 5 years.

Rayless Chamomile

Matricaria dioscoidea

Rayless chamomile (Matricaria dioscoidea) is an erect annual, found in waste and cultivated ground and footpaths. It is resistant to cold, trampling and many herbicides. The greenish yellow leaves have a feathered appearance and give off a pineapple scent when crushed. The composite flowers are yellow with green tinges and growing at the end of the branches. It is not particularly common in New Zealand, and found chiefly in the North Island, and the north and east of the South Island.