Dandelion Plant Question

[Rhapsody]

When it is said that a Squirrel can eat the Dandelion Plant are we talking about the entire plant (flower and all) or are we talking about just the leaf or the leaf and steam? :dono

I have a nice Dandelion plant I have been allowing to grow in my back yard and its about to bloom and I want to know what parts I can give to the AMIGOS this weekend.

:thankyou

[JLM27]

My reference says that all parts of the dandelion are edible for humans, leaves, stems, flowers, flower heads and buds, and roots. However, roots are woody and unpalatable.

[Rhapsody]

Thank you...... Take plant throw away root :thumbsup

[mugzeezma]

I feed the whole thing flower and all they eat what they want ....never an issue.
Another thing my squirrelies love is clover....especially the flowers
YUMMM!

[JLM27]

Here is a list of more human certified edible wild plants:

My reference is Edible Wild Plants by John Kallas, PhD. You can look it up on Amazon.

ISBN 13: 9781423601500.

Foundation Greens: Wild spinach, chickweed, mallow, purslane
Tart greens: curly dock, sheep sorrel, wood sorrel
Pungent greens: field mustard. wintercress, garlic mustard, shepherds purse
Bitter greens: dandelion, cat's ear, sow thistle, nipplewort

Some of these plants have parts you shouldn't eat, but for all of them the green leaves are edible. You should really check out the book, because it has info on sure identification and which parts are good and which bad. Many can be found in the burbs. With the price of grocery greens right now, it may be worth taking a collecting bag with you on your walks.

This food is free and very good for us. (as well as our little ones)

O yes, and red clover flower heads make a great tea with a calming effect. Stone you like a rabbit at twilight. Just be careful about pesticides. I worry more about that than I do about dog pee pee.

[Rhapsody]

Just be careful about pesticides. I worry more about that than I do about dog pee pee.
I agree with you there.... but no worries here, all the plants I give my babies come from my own yard -
hibiscus, bottle brush, dandelions, acorns, pine cones, roses, kumquats, oranges.

:thumbsup :Love_Icon :thumbsup

[Rhapsody]

O yes, and red clover flower heads make a great tea with a calming effect. Stone you like a rabbit at twilight.Is that the same as the purplish looking flowers? - we have purple ones that why I am asking.
..... and can the squirrels eat CLOVERS? thought I read some where they could :dono

[sdreamcatcher]

Thank you...... Take plant throw away root :thumbsup


I would offer the whole thing, root and all. The roots are great for the kidneys and liver and the whole plant is very nutritious :).


Watch out with feeding clover. The big red/purplish flowered ones are fine, as is the white clover. But stay away from actual sweet clover (small yellow or white flowers). You will know which one, the leaves, flowers, plant have a very sweet smell to them when you pick or pull them. The plants get pretty good size too.

[Rhapsody]

We just have the red/purplish flower clovers so all is fine there.... :thumbsup
but just so I will know, whats wrong with the sweet ones?

[mugzeezma]

Is that the same as the purplish looking flowers? - we have purple ones that why I am asking.
..... and can the squirrels eat CLOVERS? thought I read some where they could :dono
The white clover flower is like candy!
As far as getting stoned on the red clover... can't say I've tried that one!!!:D

[island rehabber]

Dandelions are calcium-rich, I believe, and very good for our squirrels. I have to buy mine at the Mexican market -- can't trust anything growing around my place :shakehead. All my kidz love them.

[gs1]

Thank you...... Take plant throw away root :thumbsup

um ..no ... leave root and they'll grow more greens for you later....

i used to grow them deliberately for my rabbits... i had a dandelion patch ... they grew amazingly well... like a foot high ... with very well drained and soft soil...like carrots prefer....

also clover ..red & white is ok i think ... but yellow is poisonous...

happy gardening....:thumbsup

[SquirrelNut]

Nos loves dandelions...........

He shares them w/his Sister, Bunny Little Dana that LOVES them!

I do try to always buy "organic" when possible.

[sdreamcatcher]

We just have the red/purplish flower clovers so all is fine there.... :thumbsup
but just so I will know, whats wrong with the sweet ones?

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/toxic/plant16.htm


Found this link which shows a picture (we had a white one last year so I know they come in that color too), and some information. Supposedly if it's dried/cured right it's safe, but I won't give it to my piggie or bunny :shakehead . I love the smell so allow it to grow in some areas of the garden, for bees and butterflies.

[Rhapsody]

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/toxic/plant16.htm
I love the smell so allow it to grow in some areas of the garden, for bees and butterflies.
Oh OK - I have seen them in our yard just didnt know what kind of weed they where, but its good to know that they are safe for the bees & butterflies to have and probably why the butterflies are always hanging around the back part of the yard where they tend to grow - :thumbsup