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Cow Parsley- foliage with grooved stems
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The early foliage of Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) is the easiest to pick but it is the stage when the plant shows the greatest resemblance to poison hemlock. Examination of the young leaf stem shows the characteristic grooves signifying that the plant is safe to pick for rabbits.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Ash
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Ash leaves are suitable for feeding to rabbits as part of a mixture of plants. Young shoots (as in picture) are palatable.
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FORAGING
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Clover (red)
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Clover is common on rough grassland and on roadsides where there is forage to pick. There are many varieties, and it is palatable for rabbits. Red clover (Trefolium pratense) is easier to pick than white clover (Trefolium repens) because it is larger. Clover has an unfounded reputation for causing bloat in rabbits probably because ingestion of large quantities of young clover can cause bloat in cattle. The digestive physiology of ruminants, such as cattle, is different from hindgut fermenters, such as rabbits.
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FORAGING
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Cow Parsley- comparison with poison hemlock
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This picture was taken in May. On the left is the young hemlock plant (Conium maculatum). On the right is a young cow parsley plant (Anthriscus sylvestris). The plants were growing next to each other and illustrate the differences. The main stem and the leaf stems of hemlock are circular, smooth, pale green with reddish purples spots and blotches. The main stem of cow parsley is also circular but has longitudinal grooves. The leaf stems of the cow parsley have the characteristic celery-like groove and are slightly hairy. The colour of cow parsley stems varies from green to purple like the example shown in this picture.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Bramble leaves in winter
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The leaves from blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) or bramble bushes will survive the winter and can be picked to feed to rabbits when there is little else around. The leaves may not look palatable, but they are a favourite.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Hogweed plant
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Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) is an excellent forage plant for rabbits. It is prolific with large leaves that are easily picked. This picture was taken in August. Young leaves are the most palatable. Hogweed is common in hedgerows, on verges, pastureland, and along footpaths. The leaves grow again after the plants have been picked or mown and can be found in November/December when other forage plants are rare.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Ground Elder (new leaves)
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Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria) grows quickly and is easily harvested. It is a perennial plant that grows in shady places. These new shoots are one of the first plants to appear in the spring and are welcomed by rabbits.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Dandelion in flower
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All parts of the dandelion are enjoyed by rabbits including the flowers, stems and roots.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Sweet Cicely main stem
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The main stem of Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) is grooved, which differentiates the plant from hemlock.
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
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Meadowsweet
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Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a common plant that grows in damp places and ditches. It has white highly scented flowers. The leaves are a favourite with rabbits The roots contain salicylic acid and were used to make aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
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FORAGING
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FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR