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Cuckoo Pint leaves
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The bright green leaves of Cuckoo PInt (Arum maculatum) can look enticing among the sparse vegetation in March but it is better to leave them alone.
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PLANT TOXICITY
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CUCKOO PINT
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Hemlock
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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.
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PLANT TOXICITY
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HEMLOCK
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Hemlock leaves
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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.
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HEMLOCK
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Hemlock stems
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Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is easy to differentiate from other umbelliferae plants by the red blotches on the smooth, hairless shiny stems.
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HEMLOCK
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Hemlock flower
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Hemlock flowers are typical of umbelliferae. There are flat-topped flower clusters that are small and white.
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PLANT TOXICITY
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HEMLOCK
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Yew
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Yew (Taxus baccata) is an evergreen shrub, commonly found in churchyards. The leaves are highly toxic to animals although birds can eat the berries with no ill effects.
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DIET
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PLANT TOXICITY
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Ivy
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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.
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FORAGING
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PLANTS TO AVOID
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Woody Nightshade
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The flowers of Woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara).
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FORAGING
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PLANTS TO AVOID
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Sorrel
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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.
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PLANTS TO AVOID
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Ragwort rosettes
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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.
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FORAGING
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PLANTS TO AVOID