Captain Helen
Wise Old Thumper
Can anyone tell me what this is? Looks a bit like shepherds purse or yarrow to me, but I have no idea what I'm doing!
Thank you :wave:
Thank you :wave:
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Plant ID Please
- Thread starter Captain Helen
- Start date
fruitandnutcake
Mama Doe
Hairy bittercress, and it's a nightmare...I have it everywhere in my garden.
Captain Helen
Wise Old Thumper
Nice name! :shock: Is it poisonous? The rabbits stay away from it, I've never seen them try to eat it.
fruitandnutcake
Mama Doe
`I'm pretty sure I read it was OK to eat, but I would double check on the list of edible forage. Will see if I can find list and link it.
fruitandnutcake
Mama Doe
Link to edible plant lists http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?303114-Plant-Images
shelled warriors is mentioned on that thread (Tortoises edible weeds) ..and here is direct link to hairy bittercress http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=6243&page=2
shelled warriors is mentioned on that thread (Tortoises edible weeds) ..and here is direct link to hairy bittercress http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=6243&page=2
Captain Helen
Wise Old Thumper
That's great, thanks 
I did look at the plant images thread first, but I only looked at the pictures Because the rabbits don't eat it, it's about the only thing that grows in my garden! :lol: I don't mind it, so I'll leave it where it is
I did look at the plant images thread first, but I only looked at the pictures Because the rabbits don't eat it, it's about the only thing that grows in my garden! :lol: I don't mind it, so I'll leave it where it is :wave: Hi :wave:
I agree that it's bitter cress, neither do my buns eat it. I don't know if it's completely bunny safe ie in larger quanitities for forage, or whether it's unpalatable.
Parsnipbun feeds a wide range of forage to multiple rabbits & would be better qualified to comment than I am.
Round here I've only seen it growing in gardens.
My criteria for "bunny safe" is to tour the local warrens about a dozen of them. If a plant grows all round a foraging area but not inside it for no soil/shade reason & a general search says it's safe. I'm happy about it.
Some plants are said to be bunny safe but grow in wildie foraging areas. I only comment on my observation in those cases.
My photo is of Field Penny cress Thlaspi arvensis, the seed capsules are much broader.
I think I need to clarify this. Thank you for drawing it to my attention.
I agree that it's bitter cress, neither do my buns eat it. I don't know if it's completely bunny safe ie in larger quanitities for forage, or whether it's unpalatable.
Parsnipbun feeds a wide range of forage to multiple rabbits & would be better qualified to comment than I am.
Round here I've only seen it growing in gardens.
My criteria for "bunny safe" is to tour the local warrens about a dozen of them. If a plant grows all round a foraging area but not inside it for no soil/shade reason & a general search says it's safe. I'm happy about it.
Some plants are said to be bunny safe but grow in wildie foraging areas. I only comment on my observation in those cases.
My photo is of Field Penny cress Thlaspi arvensis, the seed capsules are much broader.
I think I need to clarify this. Thank you for drawing it to my attention.
Captain Helen
Wise Old Thumper
:wave: Hi :wave:
I agree that it's bitter cress, neither do my buns eat it. I don't know if it's completely bunny safe ie in larger quanitities for forage, or whether it's unpalatable.
Parsnipbun feeds a wide range of forage to multiple rabbits & would be better qualified to comment than I am.
Round here I've only seen it growing in gardens.
My criteria for "bunny safe" is to tour the local warrens about a dozen of them. If a plant grows all round a foraging area but not inside it for no soil/shade reason & a general search says it's safe. I'm happy about it.
Some plants are said to be bunny safe but grow in wildie foraging areas. I only comment on my observation in those cases.
My photo is of Field Penny cress Thlaspi arvensis, the seed capsules are much broader.
I think I need to clarify this. Thank you for drawing it to my attention.
:wave:
Thank you
Now you mention it, I can see the resemblance with field penny cress. The leaves are a bit more round and paler, so I'd dismissed it. It's so hard to match plants to the photos, as I don't know if maybe it's at a different stage of growth in the photo.:wave:
Thank you
I can find the matching difficult on photos too. In fact I prefer the old fashioned line drawings, then checking through in the text. With the "cress" family, there are usually seed pods below the flowers which come early in the year. I use these to narrow down the possibilities.
Penny cress has almost round seed pods with a small slit like groove at the top, They are distinctive.
Shepherd's purse also OK for buns has narrower heart shaped seed pods, & bitter cress has upstanding seed pods like diminutive beans, but I'm always in the book with those 2.
Yes, they can change appearance a lot as they grow. I guess with me it's just a case of "what on earth is that?" then going back a few weeks later -"Oh that's what it turned into!"
You are not alone! I always say - "Get to know your enemies - the really poisonous ones 1st."
