Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can any of you tell me if these weeds are ok for tortoises to eat? Nutritious?

I don't know what the top weed is, I have a similar looking type growing all over around my house. I'd like to know as well. The ones I have growing in my yard look like a cross between a dandelion and a fern. I haven't seen them bloom, which would really help identify them.

The one on the bottom looks like a plantain, which is very nutritious. I assume that you are asking about the large leaf looking plant in the photo. Be sure though! You might dig a few up and take them to your local nursery. They should be able to identify both plants for you.

-Kory

Oh good idea. Didn't think of the nursery.

The plants in the second photo are part of the same plant. The small leaves and the larger calla lily looking ones. I do know our horses will not eat these so they must have a odd or bitter taste to them. Don't want to try them on the torts until I know they are safe.

The one on the top is filaree - very safe and nutritious for the local desert tortoises here in AZ.

looks like dichondra. Here's a link.
Dichondra

Here are a few that I have growing in my yard. One of these looks similar to the top pic that you have posted. Mine have thistles that grow in clumps. The thistles look like they may turn to flowers at some point. The top image shows a leaf with a stalk, and a clump of the thistles. The bottom two pics are a different type of plant. One image shows the whole plant, and the other is a close up of one of the leaves. The leaves are about 3 inches wide, and the plant has reached about 3 feet in height.

I'd really like to know what these are. I've got tons of both growing all over one side of my property, and in nearby fields.

-Kory

I see lots of good tortoise food here. Filaree is the source of those nasty little twisty seeds in your sox, but when green, some tortoises like it. Maybe I see a dandelion mixed in, which is the single best food item I know. I also see the little green leaves with tiny white flowers, chick weed, which tortoises like but its mostly water... And the big leaves are probably miner's lettuce, again mostly water but they like it, and I add it my own salads occassioanlly. The big green leafs are Malva neglecta, I don't know a common name. It too is good tortoise food, I feed a lot of it. Look for sow thistle in your yards, tortoises love it and its nutritious. Many weeds are European/Asian imports/invasives, and are thus native foods for marginateds, greeks, Horsefields. Many weeds are desirable, and I always try to be cautious, but tortoises are usually pretty good about choosing what is right. A good book for tortoise food gatherers is: Weeds of the West ISBN 0-941570-13-4
Tortoises and bees made me more aware of what is growing around our yards. Best regards, Vic