What is that plant?

[chiques chicks]

This thread is to be informational.

Many localities have different common names for various plants. Some plants are poisonous, some healthy, some a little of both. I would like people to share pictures of plants they encounter and discuss their safety for various animals.

Many areas are being overrun by invasive plants that may not be identified, and who doesn't have tons of weeds they don't know what they are!

I'll start with one that all parts are poisonous - hemlock. Not the tree, it's an annual. The flowers slightly resemble queen Anne's lace, but the plant grows over six feet tall. Lacey foliage, delicate white flowers, hollow stems.



Poisonous for all animals, to the best of my knowledge. Reseeds and spreads rapidly.

 

[chiques chicks]

Japanese hops.


Fast growing annual vine, spreads by seed, reseeds readily. Invasive. Not the kind of hops used for beer, although similar growth. Will easily grow over and suffocate small trees and seedlings.

Unknown toxicity to me. I have thrown small quantities to goats and chickens and they didn't get ill. Neighboring field with cows doesn't show signs of infestation which indicates to me they, too, eat it.

 

[Baymule]

I have poison hemlock, (Conium maculatum) on our place. Mowing it does no good as it will bloom and set seed at a couple inches tall. The seeds are fuzzy and stick in fur--you will shave your dog! I "suit up" to go to war on them, I wear a long sleeved denim shirt and gloves. I drag my wagon and pull them up. I take them to the burn pile and burn them.

 

[secuono]

I have poison hemlock, (Conium maculatum) on our place. Mowing it does no good as it will bloom and set seed at a couple inches tall. The seeds are fuzzy and stick in fur--you will shave your dog! I "suit up" to go to war on them, I wear a long sleeved denim shirt and gloves. I drag my wagon and pull them up. I take them to the burn pile and burn them.

...I've always read that burning it and other super dangerous plants will cause particles to drift in the air and if you happen to breathe it, you're basically dead.

 

[chiques chicks]

While not organic, roundup kills hemlock.

I do not claim to be organic, by the legal definition, I don't use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. I do, however use roundup in certain areas to control certain invasive weeds. I will also occasionally use mouse or rat poisons in limited quantities in certain areas away from my animals. Certain things require big guns in my opinion.

Burning is not an option where I live. Although I live in a very rural area, my township is huge, and due to state/federal laws based on raw population, not population density, burning is prohibited if you own less than 10 acres.

 

[chiques chicks]

Broadleaf plantain

This one is common and edible. Also has some medicinal properties. Chickens will pick at it as well.

My goats and rabbits love it. During the growing season, I frequently treat my rabbits to a salad of this and dandelion.

 

[ldawntaylor]

...I've always read that burning it and other super dangerous plants will cause particles to drift in the air and if you happen to breathe it, you're basically dead.

I know when a person is very allergic to something like poison ivy, if it is burned and they breath in the oil that is still in the ashes that can cause a reaction that goes systemic. In other words it can enter the blood and become a really bad reaction. I don't know if it would be deadly though. If that were the case my mom would be in trouble anytime anyone nearby did any burning.

 

[ldawntaylor]

Since I've never been allergic to poison ivy I really don't know what it looks like. I know the saying "leaves of three, leave it be" as being a way to remember what poison ivy looks like. I took this picture today and I'm wondering...



I know one of the plants in the picture is wood sorrel (sour grass). But, the other does kind of look like an ivy plant of some kind.

I know goats at least can eat poison ivy just fine. And that drinking the milk doesn't cause any problems for a person who is allergic to poison ivy.

Just not really sure what it looks like.

 

[ldawntaylor]

It seems to me that to avoid confusion pictures of different plants ought to be in different Anyway, here is a picture of wood sorrel. As mentioned in another post it is edible and has a sour taste (always kind of reminds me of lemon). I've found that my chickens really like as do some but not all of my goats.

 

[chiques chicks]

I know when a person is very allergic to something like poison ivy, if it is burned and they breath in the oil that is still in the ashes that can cause a reaction that goes systemic. In other words it can enter the blood and become a really bad reaction. I don't know if it would be deadly though. If that were the case my mom would be in trouble anytime anyone nearby did any burning.

if you are referring to the plant with the toothed edges, i *think* that is a young oak seedling. It may be poison oak, as i am not familiar with that in my area.