Sonoran desert brittlebush is it safe??!!

[Ruskietort]

Please help!!! My tortoise just ate a flower from a Brittlebush plant, and I can't find any info to see if it is safe.

 

[Iochroma]

Not a big deal. Encelia sp. Apparently they have a group of compounds in the sesquiterpene family. Not terribly toxic, and mostly a problem if eaten regularly over a long time.
One compound in the group yields Artemisinin; it is one of the best treatments for malaria.

 

[Ruskietort]

Thank you so much! I was stressing out a little! She only ate 2 flowers.

 

[RosemaryDW]

It’s a desert tortoise native food source.

Which isn’t to say it’s the best thing for a Russian tortoise; but it’s a regular part of the Sonoran desert tortoise diet.

 

[westernstar]

I know this is an old thread but to resurrect it a bit, I have tons of these in my yard. Anyone know if the Brittlebush is ok for Sulcatas to eat?

 

[Yvonne G]

I would think that desert tortoises have evolved to eat this and be ok with it, but if the plant doesn't occur in the sulcata's native range, evolution has not worked that kind of wonders with his body. I wouldn't allow him to eat much of it.

 

[RosemaryDW]

It’s in the sunflower family, if that helps. I don’t feed much from that plant family in general. So I’m generally in agreement with Yvonne on this one.