dar_clicks Loc: Utah

It has been even drier than usual in Utah in recent years and with attempts to save water there is now less nice lawn to be seen and instead more other plants that had the opportunity to replace grass.  Where had they been hiding?  If given a chance Storksbill can quickly make a large colorful carpet and most of that plant is so close to the ground that the leaves and flowers remain after mowing.

These particular plants grew up in a sidewalk seam and I didn't have the string trimmer ready to remove them yet so they grew more of their features than I had seen before!  (I'd always wondered why they were called "Storksbill."  Now I know!)

The flower's size is approximately 10 mm in diameter. Their colors can vary and this one is actually a little more toward lilac than pink in color although the camera captured more of its pink hue.

See "Download" for better details. -- Edit: Sorry for error in label, Actual Crop was 3689 x 2640 pixels

(Download)

relbugman Loc: MD/FL/CA/SC

Yup. Very similar to Geraniums, but differ in that the dry seeds are catapulted out as the filament in the 'bill' curves and dislodges the seed at the base; the action then breaks the attachment at the tip and the seed and filament flies off. On landing, the base of the filament twists in a tight spiral with the end sticking out at a right angle. Then, as it gets damper at night and drier in the day, it untwists a few turns, and retwists, corkscrewing the seed into the ground. The seed has tiny barbs on it that catch and reduce pulling back out. Let them dry and shoot the results, and do close-ups of the action. (There is a spent 'bill' in the center background.) Hold a dry seed in your hand and breathe slowly on it to watch the drilling action.
Geraniums (same family) are also interesting in that a similar catapult mechanism flips the free seen outward, but the catapult remaining on the dried flower, looking like a pagoda with dongles at the 5 corners - very pretty.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Unusual plant. I enjoyed your narrative too.

dar_clicks Loc: Utah

I really appreciate the information, thanks! I have interest in a lot of insects and plants that appear, especially to photograph, but my background has not been in those areas so I'm always grateful to find out more from those who know something about them.

dar_clicks Loc: Utah

Thanks! The photo may have been a bit unusual, but posts here are a good way for folks to share information. I'm glad you found something to enjoy in it.