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Image JPEG image Wild Cherry
Wild cherry (Prunus avium) is a common tree in UK. The leaves contain cyanogenic glycoside. The leaves, twigs and branches should not be offered to rabbits.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Dock (old leaves)
Rabbits find old dock (Rumex obtusifolius) leaves less palatable than the young ones. It is unlikely the rabbits will eat them. Older leaves tend to gain a red colour and usually have scars on them. These dock leaves contain oxalic acid which could be hazardous if consumed in larger quantities.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Field Bindweed
Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) can be differentiated from Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) by the smaller, often pink, flowers on plants that creep along the ground on verges, waste ground and hedge bottoms. The plant is known to contain alkaloids that affect other species, such as horses and mice, if they eat large quantities. The effects on rabbits are unknown but it is a plant that is best left alone.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image ECMAScript program Foxglove leaves
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are common hedgerow plants that are easy to recognise when they are in flower. It is a biennial plant and in the first year, it forms a clump or rosette of leaves (see photo). In the second year, this rosette produces the flower spike – which may be up to 2 metres in height. All parts of the plant, including the roots and seeds, may contain a toxin, which is a cardiac glycoside, digitalis. It is inadvisable to pick foxgloves leaves for rabbits although it is unlikely that the rabbits will eat them.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Oak
Oak trees contain tannins although the content varies with the season and part of the tree. There are high concentrations in acorns and there are documented cases of acorn poisoning in other species. In moderation, tannins are not poisonous. They are present in tea. Rabbits will not be harmed if they eat some oak leaves, although they are not a good choice to pick when foraging. It is sensible to avoid feeding acorns although wild rabbits seem to enjoy them without coming to any harm.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Ragwort
Common ragwort (Senecio jacobea) is well known as a poisonous weed. It has attractive yellow flowers and easily recognisable leaves. It also has a very unattractive taste to rabbits and other mammals. When dried or if there is nothing else to eat, animals might eat it. The toxins cause permanent and sometimes fatal liver damage in horses and it should be pulled up in pastures where horses graze or meadows that hay is taken from. In verges and other places where horses do not graze it is can be left alone as it is an important plant for wildlife notably the Cinnabar moth. Although there are no reported cases of ragwort poisoning in rabbits, it is better not to pick it even though it is unlikely to be eaten.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Ragwort rosettes
Common ragwort (Senecio jacobea) is a biennial plant and in the first year, it only has leaves organized in a rosette (illustrated) that may not be recognised as ragwort. It flowers in the second year (June till October). After the plant has produced seeds, it dies but the seeds can survive for many years. Although it is unlikely that rabbits will eat them, it is better not to pick the leaves.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image Sorrel
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a relative of the broad-leaved dock and has been cultivated for centuries. It can be found in meadows, verges and hedgerows. It is sometimes used in soups or its leaves used in salads. However, it has a sharp taste due to the oxalic acid it contains. It also has a laxative effect in humans if it is ingested in large quantities. Rabbits seldom eat it.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Sycamore
Sycamores ( Acer pseudoplatanus) are common trees in UK. The leaves are not palatable to rabbits although they may like to eat the dried leaves as they fall in the autumn. The seeds and seedlings are toxic to horses if they eat too many.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID
Image JPEG image Traveller's Joy
Traveller's joy or Old Man's Beard (Clematis vitalba) is a climbing plant that is a member of the buttercup family. It is found entwined around plants in hedgerows. It is listed as poisonous to humans but like many toxic plants, it is also used in herbal medicine. It's effects on rabbits are unknown. It is better left unpicked
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / PLANTS TO AVOID