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Angelica flowers
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The flowers of wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) are rounded clusters of tiny white or pink flowers that are produced in late summer and early autumn.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Angelica
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Wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris) is an edible perennial that can be found growing in damp meadows, ditches, and wet woodlands. It is a tall robust plant that can grow over one metre in height.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Alexanders
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Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) or Horse parsley is found around the coast. It is not a widespread plant so, if it is to be picked, it should only be picked in moderation. It is not toxic should be safe for rabbits although it is not a common fodder plant.
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EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
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Primrose
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Primrose plants (Primula vulgaris) may be seen in hedge bottoms during the spring. The plant is reputed to have mild toxic effects (vomiting) in humans. It is not known to be toxic to rabbits, but it is better to leave the plant alone for others to enjoy.
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PLANTS TO AVOID
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Snowdrops
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Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are often among the plants that are listed as toxic for rabbits. This is because the bulbs contain toxins, and the leaves might do as well. If rabbits are in a garden with snowdrops, they will not the leaves until they start to wither and die. They are not harmful at this stage. Although it unlikely that rabbits will eat snowdrop leaves, if they have other forage, it is sensible not to pick the leaves or flowers for rabbits.
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Woody nightshade
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Woody nightshade or Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) is a climbing plant that can be found in woodland and hedges. The berries are poisonous. It is a different plant from Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). The leaves of Woody nightshade are not easily identifiable but there is usually a flower somewhere on the plant that makes the identity certain. It is unlikely that rabbits will eat the leaves, but it is better if they do not have the opportunity to do so.
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Traveller's Joy
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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
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Sycamore
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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.
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Oak
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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.
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Foxglove leaves
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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.
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