Erodium botrys (Cav.) Bertol.

Annual or possibly biennial herb, often reddish; stems initially 0, later several, to c. 18 cm long, ± prostrate, not musk-scented, with dense retrorse stiff hairs. Petioles of basal and lower cauline lvs 2.5–5.5 cm long. Lamina 6–10 × 2.5–3 cm, oblong-ovate or triangular-ovate, cordate at base, pinnatisect; lateral lobes extending to > 3/4 way to hairy midrib, ± ovate, ciliate, otherwise almost glabrous, acutely lobed; terminal lobe usually larger. Upper cauline lvs somewhat smaller, subsessile or with short petiole; lamina with narrow-oblong, sharply acute lobes. Stipules membranous, triangular-ovate, densely ciliate, silvery, often tinged red, obtuse. Umbels 2–3-flowered; bracts similar to stipules but smaller. Peduncles and pedicels glandular-hairy, somewhat reddish, = to > calyx at anthesis. Sepals 5–7.5 cm long, ovate or elliptic-ovate, with simple and glandular hairs or glabrate; apical mucro dark. Petals 9–10 mm long; pinkish mauve with dark crimson vein in lower part; claw very short; limb obovate. Stamens 3.5–4.5 mm long, much widened in lower 1/2; anthers dark purple. Staminodes narrower and much < stamens. Fr. beak (7)–7.5–8.5–(9) cm long, with antrorse hairs. Mericarps 7–8 mm long, with dense, antrorse, stiff hairs; apical pits eglandular, with 2 prominent furrows beneath.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Aug.–Oct.