Found these in my yard i live in cali, are they safe to feed?
plant identification!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter russian/sulcata/tortoise
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First one looks like horseweed. Second looks like purslane. Purslane should be fine as part of a varied diet, horseweed is listed as 'do not feed' on The Tortoise Table.
(Purslane is listed on the 'do not feed' on The Tortoise Table but I've read people using it, as well as myself, but only occasionally).
(Purslane is listed on the 'do not feed' on The Tortoise Table but I've read people using it, as well as myself, but only occasionally).
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Prairie Mom
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I did read that purslane should only be fed to tortoises in smaller amounts as part of a varied diet, but something kind of fun... it's perfectly EDIBLE for PEOPLE.
When the weed is still young, the rounded leaves have kind of a fresh celery/lettuce kind of taste and they go great in mixed salads. I allow this weed to grow in my garden beds and we've used it often. ---I thought you might be interested in that "food for thought"...----baa hah ha ha ha haha....wait....why am I the only one laughing?
When the weed is still young, the rounded leaves have kind of a fresh celery/lettuce kind of taste and they go great in mixed salads. I allow this weed to grow in my garden beds and we've used it often. ---I thought you might be interested in that "food for thought"...----baa hah ha ha ha haha....wait....why am I the only one laughing? 
I read purslane was a no on tort table too but they error on the side of caution.
http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=321
http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=321
Haha! No, you're not laughing alone. Purslane for people? Really?! In salad? I thought about planting it for my guys, but the Tortoise Table lists it as feed in moderation. I like to have things that I don't need to worry about feeding, ever. I'm too busy to keep track of what I fed last, how much, etc.I did read that purslane should only be fed to tortoises in smaller amounts as part of a varied diet, but something kind of fun... it's perfectly EDIBLE for PEOPLE.
May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
Prairie Mom
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Ha ha ha! Yes, it's true!! You should google it. Not only is it kind of good, it's actually really good for you! It has lots of Omega3s. People all over the world eat it. FYI...What lismar posted about it interfering with calcium absorption is true, but my understanding is that it only interferes if it is eaten in large amounts. I've allowed my little Mavis to take a few bites of purslane while she trots around the yard, because it's tasty and I want her to have a little fun. My Mavis arrived with soft spots in her shell and the beginnings of MBD, but even with a few bites of purslane here and there, she is still completely reversing the MBD and hardening up beautifully in just a couple weeks!
Cool! Thanks for the info! I'll have to do some research. Poor Mavis! I'm sure she'll recover quickly, in your hands.
May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
so the second picture one i can eat
Ha! I see one of the reasons why purslane blocks calcium absorption. Can you guess what it is?
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea#
May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea#
May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
Prairie Mom
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Yes, the second picture of the viny little weed with the round leaves. Here, I found a website that talks about it...http://www.eattheweeds.com/purslane-omega-3-fatty-weed/ I promise I'm not trying to poison youso the second picture one i can eat
I'm more of a death by chocolate kind of girl. Hee hee!
Prairie Mom
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What? what? What?...is it the phosphorus!? The world must know, Jabuticaba!
if my throat starts swelling up after i eat it I'm going to sue you.....
If you live, you can certainly sue. LOL! You won't die. Just ho easy on it.if me throat starts swelling up after i eat it I'm going to sue you.....
May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
Prairie Mom
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if my throat starts swelling up after i eat it I'm going to sue you.....
AAAAAAAAAAA!!! If you sue, I'll have to pay you back in pet hair--THAT I have plenty of.
Prairie Mom
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I debated whether I should click the "like" button. ha ha ha! Man, after this thread, people are never going to post plant identification questions again!dont tell anyone but when i was little i ate some worms
see thats why torts are the best pets, they don't have hair!
Prairie Mom
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So, is it the phosphorus? Inquiring minds want to know?
It's the vitamin A. Vitamin A competes with vitamin D for uptake, by blocking VDRs (Vitamin-D Receptors) in cells. It's okay for humans, as we've much bigger, but for smaller animals 2,000IUs/100g is way too much for tortoises. Imho, humans need to be carful, too, and watch overall daily intake of vit A, if adding purslane to their diet.
May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
i was looking at turtle pics and looks at this!
