-
Giant Hogweed new growth
-
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
GIANT HOGWEED
-
Giant Hogweed stems
-
The stems of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) are hollow bright green and hairy. They often have purple/red spots or blotches like some other poisonous plants i.e. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Cuckoo Pint (Arum maculatum).
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
GIANT HOGWEED
-
Goose grass
-
Goosegrass (Gallium aparine) is also known as 'cleavers' or 'stickyweed'. It is a common plant that can be found climbing over hedges and at the edge of woodland. The stems, leaves, and seeds of this plant have numerous down-turned prickles that stick to clothing and animal fur. Although the plant is edible, it is not suitable for fluffy rabbits, such as Angoras because the leaves, stems, and seeds get caught in the fur causing mats. It is not an easy plant to handle. It often grows among nettles so there is a risk of being stung as well as have your clothes covered in sticky seeds.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
FORAGING
/
PLANTS TO AVOID
-
Hemlock
-
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a biennial plant that grows in damp areas and also on drier rough grassland, roadsides, and disturbed ground. It is the plant everyone worries about picking. Hemlock looks very similar to Cow Parsley, Rough Chervil and Sweet Cicely. Close inspection of the stems shows they are different. The plant is tall. It can grow up to 2 metres high.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
HEMLOCK
-
Hemlock flower
-
Hemlock flowers are typical of umbelliferae. There are flat-topped flower clusters that are small and white.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
HEMLOCK
-
Hemlock leaves
-
This image shows the leaves of hemlock (Conium maculatum). They are a brighter green than cow parsley and have an iridescent appearance. When they are crushed, they release an unpleasant mousy smell.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
HEMLOCK
-
Hemlock plants
-
Hemlock may grow in clumps on roadsides, waste ground, field edges, path edges, meadows, and poorly drained soil near streams or ditches. This photograph was taken in a field next to a river near York in July.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
HEMLOCK
-
Hemlock stems
-
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is easy to differentiate from other umbelliferae plants by the red blotches on the smooth, hairless shiny stems.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
PLANT TOXICITY
/
HEMLOCK
-
Ivy
-
There are several species of ivy (Hedera). The leaves that are illustrated are from Common Ivy (Hedera helix), which is often seen climbing over walls, and trees. It is an important plant for wildlife as it provides food and shelter. The berries are popular with birds. In humans, Hedera species can cause gastrointestinal upset when ingested. Where there is significant or prolonged skin contact, ivy can cause both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. It is a plant to avoid although it will not matter if a few leaves make it into the forage bag.
Located in
Media
/
…
/
FORAGING
/
PLANTS TO AVOID
-
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