Erodium cygnorum
Australian filaree
(c) Thomas Mesaglio, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Mesaglio · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Erodium cygnorum (Australian filaree) is a non-native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by unique 3-5 broad wedge-shaped leaf divisions, blade shorter than petiole.
Australian filaree is a naturalized annual herb found in southern coastal California in abandoned fields and disturbed sites at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces pink, purple, or blue flowers with petals larger than its sepals. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that are soft-hairy, it has deeply divided leaves with lower leaf blades up to 8 centimeters long and ovate in outline. Its leaves are intricately structured, with lower divisions more than 10 millimeters wide and wedge-shaped, creating a distinctive foliage pattern. The fruit develops with a body 5 to 6 millimeters long, accompanied by a style column 5 to 6 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; unique 3-5 broad wedge-shaped leaf divisions, blade shorter than petiole
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Abandoned fields, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: native to Australia
Bloom period
Erodium cygnorum blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Geranium: Erodium leaves are pinnately divided like a feather; Geranium leaves are palmately divided like spread fingers.; vs Phacelia: Erodium has umbrella-like flower clusters and long-beaked fruits; Phacelia has coiled flower clusters and rounded capsules.; vs Malva: Erodium has pinnately-divided leaves and 5 petals; Malva has palmately-lobed leaves and many stamens fused in a column.; vs Sisyrinchium: Erodium has feathery divided leaves and pink umbel flowers; Sisyrinchium has grasslike leaves and blue-purple iris-like flowers.; vs Pelargonium: Erodium is herbaceous with pinnately-divided leaves; Pelargonium is shrubby with asymmetrical flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erodium cygnorum native to California?
No. Erodium cygnorum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Erodium cygnorum bloom?
Erodium cygnorum blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Erodium cygnorum belong to?
Erodium cygnorum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Erodium.
What habitat does Erodium cygnorum grow in?
Erodium cygnorum grows in Uncommon. Abandoned fields, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.