reigersbek

Dutch

Erodium cicutarium met reigersbekvormige vrucht.

Etymology

From reiger (“heron”) +‎ -s- +‎ bek (“animal's mouth, beak, bill”). The name refers to the fruit capsule of many species of this genus, which somewhat resembles a heron's bill in shape (see picture). Compare ooievaarsbek (literally “stork's bill”), which has similar elongated fruits and is similarly named after a bird with an elongated beak.

The genus name Erodium is similarly derived from the Ancient Greek ἐρῳδιός (erōidiós) meaning "heron".

Pronunciation

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Noun

reigersbek m (plural reigersbekken, diminutive ooievaarsbekje n)

1. An erodium or storksbill; any plant of the genus Erodium

   Hypernym: ooievaarsbekfamilie

2. (particularly) The common storksbill, Erodium cicutarium

Derived terms

• duinreigersbek

 

Further reading

• erodium on the Dutch Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^nl