IDENTIFICATION
Winter annual or biennial.
Stork's-bill has purplish-pink flowers in umbrella-like clusters
at the end of long, slender stalks. Leaves are hairy, long, and divided
into narrow, feather-like segments. Mature plants have reclining or upright
stems that are 3 - 40 cm long.
DAMAGE
Stork's-bill competes with agricultural crops for moisture and
nutrients. It may also cause livestock poisoning and is an alternate host
for plant diseases. It can quickly invade disturbed
sites.
HABITAT
In British Columbia, stork's-bill grows from low to mid-elevations
in moist to dry fields, woodlands, and disturbed habitats. It will tolerate
a broad range of climates and can grow in areas that experience harsh,
snowy winters because it has a short growing season. It is common in southwestern
and south central British Columbia, but is not considered a major concern
anywhere in the province.
SPREAD
Stork's-bill spreads by seed when moist tendrils enveloping the
seed expand, uncoil, and drive the arrow-shaped fruit into the ground.
