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Goosegrass (early growth)
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Goosegrass (Galium aparine) is among the plants to look for because it is safe and popular with some owners. Abundant small plants appear early in the season when other plants are in short supply and it is easy to pick at this stage. During the summer and autumn, it is among plants to avoid because it is unpleasant to pick. Goosegrass often grows alongside stinging nettles and also has numerous down-turned prickles that stick to clothing and animal fur.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Sweet Cicely
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Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) is an umbelliferous plant with feathery leaves and white flowers. It is a perennial plant that grows on grassy banks, verges, and woodland areas. It is easy to identify from the strong smell of aniseed that comes from the leaves when they are crushed. Like Cow Parsley, the leaf stems are grooved, indicating that the plant is safe to pick. Sweet Cicely is palatable for rabbits but it is not a common plant so care should be taken to only pick from places where the plants are abundant.
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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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Buddleia
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Buddleia (Buddleia davidii) can be found growing on wasteland, especially in the South of England. The plant is not toxic but is not palatable for rabbits. They are unlikely to eat it.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Coltsfoot leaves
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The leaves of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) appear as the flowers are dying back. They are large and angular and have the shape of a colt's (or foal's) footprint. They can grow up to 25cm wide.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Coltsfoot flower
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The yellow flowers of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) appear from long flowering stems that emerge from the ground in early spring. The flowers resemble dandelion flowers although the seedhead is smaller.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Deadnettle
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Deadnettle is a common wild plant with a long growing and flowering season. The leaves look like stinging nettles. There are two varieties of deadnettle, one with white flowers (Lamium album) and one with red flowers (Lamium purpureum). The plant is edible but is not eaten with relish by rabbits.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Mallow
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Mallow (Malva spp.) is a popular foraging plant. It has pretty pink flowers and likes a sheltered position, so it is not common everywhere. Dwarf mallow (Malva neglecta) is illustrated. It is important to be careful how much is picked so enough is left behind to be sustainable.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Mallow leaves
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There are many species of mallow. Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) has large leaves and can be found on waste ground and verges. When it is flowering, the plant can grow tall with pink flowers. All parts of the plants can be fed to rabbits
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Garlic mustard in flower
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During the second year of its life, the leaves off garlic mustard plants (Alliaria petiolata) are lighter in colour with a slightly different shape from the leaves in the first year. The plant can grow up to 1 metre tall and has small white flowers followed by multiple seed pods. The leaves from the top of the plant with flowers or flower buds are the most palatable.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS