Texas Stork's Bill Geranium

Texas storks-bill or fillaree is a low-growing plant. Its long-stalked, oval leaves, with three rounded lobes, form an initial rosette close to the ground. From this rosette, horizontal stems extend to 15 in. The purple, five-petaled flowers bloom in clusters of two to three, opening late in the day and closing in the morning, except on cloudy days. Prominent yellow anthers contribute to the showy character. The blossoms are sensitive to light, opening late in the day and closing in the morning, except when it is cloudy. Beaks on the seed pods resemble storks bills; thus the common name. During low humidity the tip coils, but straightens again when the humidity is high. In this way the seeds are dispersed.