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Image JPEG image Alexanders
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.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
Image JPEG image Willow
There are many species of willow (Salix spp.) and all are palatable to rabbits. The weeping willow in the picture is the most easily recognisable - this tree is young and therefore small, but willow trees can be huge. They are common along the banks of rivers and streams. Small branches or twigs can be collected for rabbits to eat the leaves from and strip the bark.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image JPEG image Sweet Cicely
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.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image Sow thistle
Sow thistle is a really useful plant for rabbits. There are many varieties (e.g. Sonchus oleraceus, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper) and none are poisonous. Some varieties have smooth leaves and others are prickly. All varieties are a favourite food with a long growing season. Sow thistle used to be grown in warrens to feed the inhabitants on in winter. The plants exude a milky substance from cut stems or leaves. Sow thistle often grows on newly turned soil, on waste ground or in crevices along pavements or walls. The plants can be tall- up to 1.5m high and all have prickly looking leaves and yellow flowers.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image JPEG image Hawthorn
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is common in hedgerows and small branches and twigs are easy to collect. The thorns can be a problem although they are not present on new growth so the leaves can be stripped off easily. Alternatively, twigs cut be cut and offered to the rabbit. The thorns do not pose a problem to them. Rabbits are happy to eat both the leaves and the twig.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image JPEG image Grass
Freshly cut grass is enjoyed by most rabbits, especially those that do no have access to a run or garden. Scissors are useful to cut some grass from the garden each day. This not only feeds the rabbits but also trims lawn edges and other places. Picking some grass during foraging is another option.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image JPEG image Groundsel
Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is useful plant for rabbits because it has a long growing season and can be found dry crevices, waste ground and on ground that has recently been disturbed. It is palatable and available when other forage is scarce. This picture was taken in March. The plant is sometimes listed as poisonous because it contains small quantities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, but large amounts would need to be eaten for this to be a problem. Groundsel is difficult to pick in large quantities. There are no reports of toxicity in rabbits.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image JPEG image Cow parsley
Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) is a short-lived perennial. It grows in grassland, along hedges and woodland edges, road verges, railway banks and wasteland. The foliage is one of the first plants to appear in the spring and last to disappear in autumn. It is safe and palatable for rabbits but there is always a concern that the plant may be confused with hemlock (Conium maculatum)- see section on ‘Plant Toxicity’. Examination of the stems will confirm its identity as cow parsley.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image Blackberry (brambles)
Blackberry (Rubus 'fructiosus') is a common hedgerow plant, although the prickles can make it difficult to harvest . It is a semi-evergreen shrub that is common all over Europe. In winter, when other plants are rare, some leaves can still be found to feed to rabbits. In the British Isles there are over 320 ‘microspecies’. All are suitable to feed to rabbits
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR
Image D source code Bindweed (Hedge)
Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) is a safe plant for rabbits. They love it. Its sister plant - Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)- has a question mark over it because it contains toxins. The plants can be differentiated by their flowers, leaves and the way they grow. Hedge bindweed has large pure white flowers and grows vertically, twining around plants as it goes. It is commonly found in hedges.
Located in Media / … / FORAGING / FAVOURITE PLANTS TO LOOK FOR