What is that plant?

[chiques chicks]

I agree, but it is amazing how many invasive weeds were originally brought in as ornamentals. Others came in as seeds hitching a ride with other plants.

 

[babsbag]

It is not poison oak. I agree, an oak seedling.

Your wood sorrel is an oxalis of which there are many different ones. Same family as the large clover leafed houseplant you see around Saint Patrick's Day, that one has a white flower.

 

[babsbag]

We don't have poison ivy in CA, only poison oak. I am very allergic to it and I have it most all summer long. The goats love to browse it and the dogs run through it too and then they rub on me and the rest they say is history.

As a young child I remember a friend of the family saying that she had goats that ate poison oak and then she would give the milk to the foster kids (she ran a home for kids) and that they wouldn't get poison oak anymore. I have lots of goats, and lots of milk...I just don't drink it much so I have no first hand experience.

 

[chiques chicks]

What is this? Location, Pennsylvania. Is it safe for animals to eat? It grows very tall, 5 feet +

 

[Baymule]

It looks like castor bean and it is very toxic if indeed, it is castor. Look up castor and compare it to what you have.

 

[chiques chicks]

A little research online and I think it's giant ragweed. Probably would have figured that out when it blooms.

I try to be careful and not have things like castor around. Some like poke are nearly impossible to avoid, though. And hemlock.

 

[ldawntaylor]

It is not poison oak. I agree, an oak seedling. View attachment 18919

Your wood sorrel is an oxalis of which there are many different ones. Same family as the large clover leafed houseplant you see around Saint Patrick's Day, that one has a white flower.

Thanks, I guess that explains why wood sorrel reminds me so much of clover, just smaller. The leaf shape also reminds me of my mom's purple shamrock. Same family as well, perhaps.

On the poke weed, it is toxic, but not usually fatal in small amounts. My goats taste the stuff pretty regularly without any major issues. There is enough stuff to eat that they must just be curious or something.

 

[ldawntaylor]

Question, I've heard that irises can be toxic to goats. On that one I heard a lot of discussion (one of the yahoo groups I believe). I'm just wondering if it is a seasonal toxicity or if it depends on the amount eaten. Or is it like bay leaves not poisonous but dangerous all the same when it is a mature leaf?

On the bay leaves the edges are sharp even on pieces and can cause internal bleeding when eaten.

I plan to put my iris leaves in the garden compost rather than the one the animals can get to. I'm just curious.

 

[chiques chicks]

I've seen iris on the no list for goats. No personal knowledge as I am new to goats myself.

The giant ragweed didn't seem to hurt them.

 

[ldawntaylor]

I've had goats for several years but have never had a problem with ragweed. And allergies indicate the stuff is rather prolific around here.

This picture is a hibiscis (sp?). My understanding is that the plant is in the same family as okra. Of course the leaves/flowers get used in herbal teas. I'd be surprised if it causes any problems in the animals. Maybe I can get more pictures when the flowers actually bloom.



And one of a leaf up close.



Once it blooms the humming birds will be around even more.