Bunny safe wild potherbs and plants in your area

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This topic has 6sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 6 months ago by Beau Bunny.

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- 05/06/2020 at 9:38 AM
  Beau Bunny
  Participant
  66 posts
  Hi all! Unfortunately there isn’t really a solid resource out there on edible wilds for bunnies, so I start with human safe greens to forage because according to the house rabbit society website: if it’s safe for humans it’s typically safe for buns.
  
  Here is what I have so far that is safe in Florida:
  
  Crespis Japonica: Seasonal potherb also known as Hawksbeard, False Hawsbeard, or Youngia.
  
  Stachys floridana: know as Florida Betony or rattlesnake root. Closely related to Stachys affinis which is considered a delicacy and sells for $150 a pound!
  
  Daucus Carota & Pusillus: Edible Wild Carrots or Queen Anne’s lace.
  
  One thing that is edible for humans but not buns is Oxalis, which can be confused with clover. Also known as sorrel. It is too high in oxalic acid.
  
  From Dana NM: Blackberry (in smallish amounts, has some astringent properties). Loquat and citrus twigs are also safe Common edible weeds are narrow and broad leaf plantain, mallow, sow thistle, dandelion, fennel, and blackberry.
  
  Any one have some solid info on Elder flower leaves, stems, and berries? I have read they toxic as they are far too high in alkaloids…but there seems to be conflicting information online.
- 05/06/2020 at 7:38 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17027 posts
  Nettle and chickweed are supposed to be rabbit-safe too.
  
  I would caution people about wild carrot/Queen Anne’s lace. They are easily confused with toxic members of the carrot family.
  - 05/07/2020 at 1:08 PM
    Beau Bunny
    Participant
    66 posts
    Do you have any info on the toxic ones? I have some growing in my yard.
- 05/07/2020 at 12:36 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16966 posts
  I dont know about elder. It’s a common plant where I live. The whole plant is somewhat toxic, but the flowers and berries are edible for humans. I havent tried elderflower on anybunny, but my bunny Bam liked dried elderberries a lot. I only gave a few per day though.
  
  There are many bunny-safe trees, apple and pear and willow, of course, but also hazel, alder, ash, sallow, linden, rowan, hawthorne, sea buckthorn and birch (during spring and summer; they say birch can produce a toxin to deter elks and deer during winter).
  
  Rose is also safe, both leaves and petals. Often very much appreciated. Strawberry leaves and raspberry leaves too.
- 05/07/2020 at 1:44 PM
  Beau Bunny
  Participant
  66 posts
  We don’t have most of those trees down here but I do have loquat and red maple. Problem is Beau could care less for wood. I have store bought apple sticks, blocks, nah….just give me the cardboard. Thank you amazon!
  
  Is there a way to remove chemicals from store bought roses? I saw a youtube dry them to make treats. Vinegar and water?
- 05/07/2020 at 5:14 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17027 posts
  Poison hemlock, in particular, comes to mind. People have been poisoned mistaking it for wild carrot. One identifying characteristic is the purple botching on the stems. There are others, but that is what is common around here. I wouldn’t want anyone (or any bun) to end up like Socrates.
  
  ETA: I found this site that describes how to identify it: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/
- 05/07/2020 at 8:05 PM
  Beau Bunny
  Participant
  66 posts
  Ha! True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.
  
  thank you for the info- we do have water hemlock down here and it does look almost identical.
  
  And it turns out what is growing in my yard is dog fennel, which has pyrrolizidine and is considered toxic over time.
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