![]() |
|
The filaree is a common
weed which comes in two sizes. Other than size, there is no way
to tell the two species apart. Erodium
cicutarium is the smaller one, and E. moschatum is the larger.
These
are the leaves of the two species. E. moschatum above, E. cicutarium below. The
other parts of the plants show the same proportions.
Here is a closer look at
the tiny flowers. They really are rather pretty.
Here is a comparison of
the fruit of the two species of filaree.
These
are the mature fruit shed by the filaree. The point has
barbs. When it penetrates fur or clothing, it works its way
inward. And the points hurt. The twisted tail of the fruit
coils and uncoils with changes in relative humidity, drilling the point
into the ground.
[Plants
] [Back Yard
Biology ] [ Science Can Be Fun
]