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Erodium Weed

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On 29 April 2025

What Is Erodium Weed?

Erodium, also known as stork’s-bill or filaree, is a low-growing weed that you’ll often find in lawns, gardens, pastures, and along roadsides. It belongs to the same family as geraniums and can spread quickly, especially in bare or disturbed soil. Erodium plants have soft, feathery leaves and small, pink or purple flowers. Their seeds look like tiny beaks or needles, which is why people sometimes call them stork’s-bill.

Detailed view of Erodium weed leaves and flower head

Macro shot of Erodium weed showing seed head and leaf detail

Erodium weed close-up with fine leaves and blooming flowers

Why Is It A Problem?

Erodium competes with grass and other plants for water, sunlight, and nutrients. It spreads fast by seed and forms thick mats that crowd out your lawn or pasture. In crops and gardens, it can lower yields and make it harder for your plants to thrive. The seeds also stick to animal fur, clothing, and machinery, which helps the weed spread even further.

How to Identify Erodium Weed

Leaves

To begin, look for low-growing, feathery leaves made up of many small, thin segments. These soft leaves are often covered in fine hairs.

Stems

Next, check the stems. They are usually hairy, may appear reddish, and can grow close to the ground or stand upright up to 50 cm tall.

Flowers

As the plant matures, look for small pink or purple flowers about 1 cm wide. They grow in loose clusters on thin stalks, and some petals may have dark spots near the base.

Seed Pods

Later, you’ll see long, pointed seed pods shaped like a stork’s bill. When they dry out, these pods twist like a corkscrew to help spread the seeds.

Growth Habit

Erodium starts as a flat rosette and then sends up flowering stems. It often shows up in lawns, fields, and disturbed spots, especially during spring.

Effective Methods

Erodium, also called storksbill, is a stubborn weed that often spreads fast in lawns and gardens. That’s why it’s best to act early before it takes over. Below are some simple and useful steps to help you manage Erodium in your space.

Start Early

First of all, act quickly when you see young Erodium plants. Since young weeds have smaller roots and haven’t made seeds yet, they’re much easier to remove than older ones.

Pull Weeds by Hand

For smaller patches, it’s a good idea to pull Erodium out by hand. After rain, when the soil is soft, it’s easier to get the whole root. This helps stop the weed from growing back and spreading more seeds.

Mow or Slash Regularly

In lawns and paddocks, mowing or slashing often helps stop Erodium from flowering and dropping seeds. Also, by keeping your grass thick and healthy, you make it harder for new weeds to grow.

Use Mulch in Gardens

To begin with, spread mulch over garden beds and bare spots. Mulch blocks sunlight, which helps stop Erodium seeds from sprouting. Plus, it keeps the soil moist and helps your other plants grow strong.

Apply Selective Herbicides

For larger infestations, use a selective broadleaf herbicide. Look for products containing active ingredients like 2,4-D or dicamba. Always follow the label and spray when Erodium is young and actively growing, usually in winter or early spring.

Chemical Control Options

Herbicides can also be used to help manage fumitory and other weeds. Along with hand-pulling and mulching, they provide additional support, especially when weeds spread widely.

Some effective options include:

Surefire Metsulfuron Methyl 600

Surefire Metsulfuron Methyl 600 offers targeted control of broadleaf weeds and brush species, making it an excellent tool for agricultural and industrial weed management. Its selective action ensures that it treats weeds without harming desired vegetation. With its lasting control, the herbicide works both post and pre-emergence, and its low use rates make it economical and environmentally friendly.

Excalibur IVM

Excalibur IVM is a powerful herbicide designed to control both annual and perennial grasses, as well as broadleaf weeds in industrial, forestry, and rights of way areas. It effectively targets a wide range of weeds, making it ideal for maintaining weed-free zones in commercial and industrial settings. With strong grass control, it offers versatile application and proven results at low application rates.

Apparent Shatter 750

Apparent Shatter 750 is a powerful dry herbicide that controls a wide range of grasses and broadleaf weeds, including Erodium. With 750 g/kg of Sulfometuron-Methyl, it offers long-lasting weed control both post- and pre-emergence. Ideal for commercial areas, farms, industrial sites, and roadsides, it effectively targets annuals like Annual Ryegrass and Barnyard Grass, and perennials like White Clover and Dandelion, providing extended protection from unwanted vegetation.

Explore our Garden Weed Control Range for additional solutions to manage Erodium and other weeds.