Musky Storksbill

Botanical Name

Erodium moschatum (L.) L’Hér.

Common Names

• Musky Storksbill

• Musk Storksbill

• Common Storksbill

• Filaree

• Heron’s Bill

What Is Musky Storksbill?

Musky Storksbill is an annual or biennial broadleaf weed in the Geranium family (Geraniaceae). It’s widely found across southern Australia, especially in pastures, turf, roadsides, and disturbed soils.

The weed forms a low-growing rosette of lobed leaves and later produces slender stems with small pink-to-purple flowers. The name “storksbill” comes from its distinctive long, beak-like seed pods, which twist and bury themselves into the soil — helping the plant spread efficiently.

Musky Storksbill thrives in bare or compacted soil, especially where turf or vegetation is weak. It’s highly competitive and can quickly dominate open ground if left unmanaged.

⚠️ Why It’s a Problem

• Competes with desirable turf and plants for nutrients, light, and moisture.

• Its rosette growth suppresses turf regeneration and reduces pasture quality.

• Produces sharp, twisting seed awns that can irritate animals or contaminate wool.

• Quickly re-emerges from soil seedbanks if not managed before flowering.

🔍 Identification & Life Cycle

• Growth Habit: Low-spreading rosette (up to 40 cm diameter).

• Leaves: Deeply lobed, slightly hairy, aromatic (musky scent when crushed).

• Flowers: Small, five-petaled, pink to mauve (approx. 10–15 mm).

• Seeds: Long, spiral-shaped “beak” up to 4 cm long that twists into soil.

• Lifecycle: Germinates in autumn/winter; flowers spring to early summer; dies off in heat but leaves a persistent seedbank.

🌾 Control & Management

1️⃣ Cultural and Preventive Control

• Maintain a dense, healthy turf or pasture cover — Musky Storksbill prefers bare soil.

• Hand-pull or hoe small rosettes before flowering.

• Prevent seed-set — once it flowers, seeds spread rapidly.

• Reseed or mulch bare areas to prevent re-establishment.

• Improve drainage and reduce soil compaction to make conditions less favourable.

2️⃣ Chemical Control

For effective management, target young, actively growing plants before flowering.
Use selective herbicides in turf and non-selective options for spot treatments.

🧴 Recommended Products from StrataGreen

🌿 Step-by-Step Treatment Plan

1. Identify Musky Storksbill early (look for young rosettes in autumn/winter).

2. Apply selective herbicide (e.g., MCPA 750) on turf or glyphosate on non-turf areas.

3. Avoid mowing for a few days before and after spraying to ensure herbicide uptake.

4. Overseed or mulch treated areas to prevent re-growth.

5. Monitor through spring — retreat any regrowth before flowering.

6. Reinforce turf health with aeration, feeding, and irrigation management to minimise bare spots.

🌏 For Landscaping Professionals & Councils

• Keep turf dense and healthy to out-compete weeds.

• Schedule herbicide treatments during cool, moist conditions when weeds are actively growing.

• Record treatment dates and rates for compliance and future reference.

• Review bare soil areas (e.g., along curbs, tree bases) for follow-up seeding or mulching.

📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Product?

If you’re unsure which product suits your site conditions — turf, open soil, or roadside — reach out to the StrataGreen team for expert advice.

👉 Visit: Herbicides Collection
📧 Contact: marketing@stratagreen.com.au

🪴 Quick Reference

Weed: Musky Storksbill (Erodium moschatum)
Type: Annual/Biennial Broadleaf Weed
Habitat: Turf, pastures, roadsides, disturbed soil
Season: Germinates autumn–winter, flowers spring
Treatment: Cultural + selective herbicide (early rosette stage)