Air Potato vine leaves

[ALDABRAMAN]

Air Potato vine leaves, does anyone know if the leaves of this invasive vine are "NOT" toxic to tortoises to eat. I have not found it on any list.

 

[Stacy N-B]

I was wondering if you had found out any info on this vine being toxic for tortoises or not?

 

[Pastel Tortie]

My best suggestion would be to contact the FDACS Division of Plant Industry, located in Gainesville, FL. Someone there may know right offhand if it's considered toxic (at all). Otherwise, they probably know where to start looking to find the answer.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

Think I found your answer... http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/dioscorea-bulbifera/

The final sentence under the Description section reads:
Although considered to be a species of yam, these plants are very toxic and should not be consumed.

(Emphasis theirs.) It doesn't mention tortoises per se, but it may encourage one to err on the side of caution.

 

[Stacy N-B]

Awesome your the best thanks.

 

[Olddog]

The rhizome or bulb is hepatotoxic and perhaps renal toxic although same has been used medicinally in other cultures. No studies done on the leaves of which I am aware. Attached is one of the references on one of the toxicity studies on the rhizome.
http://www.biosciencetrends.com/action/downloaddoc.php?docid=295

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/w...shed-nutrient-list.161833/page-4#post-1646891

The the reports cited so far just talk about the rhizome.

 

[Stacy N-B]

Thank You so much that was the most up to date info I've gotten

 

[MichaelL]

I was wondering this too. The woods near me are overgrown with these. Also, those ferns in the back look like Boston ferns which are safe for your tortoise. We have tons of those ferns in the woods too.