Integrated Pest Management

Redstem Filaree

Erodium cicutarium

Redstem Filaree

Redstem filaree growth habit (Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org)

Redstem Filaree

Redstem filaree foliage (Bonnie Million, National Park Service, Bugwood.org)

Redstem Filaree

Redstem filaree flowers and fruiting stems (Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org)

 

Description

  • a low-growing, densely matted plant with fern-like leaves that grow in a rosette form
  • leaves have reddish stems and are covered in fine hairs
  • flower stalks support two to twelve vibrant pink/purple flowers with five petals and a long, beak-like fruit
  • other common names for redstem filaree include cranesbill, heronsbill and storksbill due to the resemblance of the flower and fruit to a bird’s head

Location

  • commonly grows in planting beds and lawn areas

Life Cycle

  • winter annual or biennial that germinates in moist soil in temperatures between 40-70°F (spring to fall)
  • seedlings that germinate late in the year remain dormant as a rosette during winter months
  • growth resumes in early spring, and plants flower from mid-spring to mid-summer

IPM Recommendations

  • Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
  • Shallow tillage or hoeing will control young plants in planting beds.
  • Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
  • Competition for light from taller desired vegetation can help control weedy patches.
  • Apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination or apply an appropriate post-emergent herbicide directly to target weeds.