Looks like a marigold. However, I don't know if they are considered to be safe or not.
I would let my tortoises eat it if they wanted to do so because I have always believed that they just don't eat plants or fungi which are bad for them and I have never worried about it, but that is just me.
I've been working with numerous tortoise species since the late 1950's and haven't had one poison itself yet.
@zovick this is somewhat reassuring to hear! Thank you also
I just don’t want to inadvertently mess up as it didn’t even occur to me they’d eat something bad for them...
I am wondering if this applies to juveniles or to any young species, as I know of a sad case of mistaken identity - someone gave a very young tortoise poinciana flowers thinking they were hibiscus, and the little tortoise truly enjoyed it, but swelled up and died the next day.Looks like a marigold. However, I don't know if they are considered to be safe or not.
I would let my tortoises eat it if they wanted to do so because I have always believed that they just don't eat plants or fungi which are bad for them and I have never worried about it, but that is just me.
I've been working with numerous tortoise species since the late 1950's and haven't had one poison itself yet.
Of course, there is another consideration in that you don't know what chemicals may be on or in that flower which may be a concern even if the plant type is "safe". In my particular case, anything the tortoises eat is from my own property and I know what chemicals are there (none).
I agree with Zovick. It’s definitely a marigold, and probably fertilized by someone along the way. Too many other good plants out there..