| Geranium Family
Red-stemmed Filaree February-May Open Grasslands |
Geraniaceae
Erodium cicutarium "Erodios - a heron. The fruit being like a heron bill" "Resembling the water hemlock" |
This plant is not a true native. It originated in the Mediterranean area and became established in the early days of cattle ranching in California when it was used for forage. Another common name is alfilaria.
Red-stemmed filaree is common in the grass along the road to Manzanita Point and in any other open grassland within the park, often found in disturbed areas. Look for a circular array of ground hugging leaves 3-6" across. The purple flowers will stand on a slender stem 2-3" above the plant
