Glechoma hederacea -Creeping Charlie?

[KelleyBee]

So, which is it? Safe or not safe? Does anyone have the definitive answer?

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

I've got creeping Charlie on my property but idk if I've ever fed them to the rabbits

 

[MaggieJ]

A big part of the confusion results because people neglect to use the botanical (Latin) names for plants. Common names are not consistent and can vary with the locality or culture.

Take Daucus carota, for instance. You might know it as Queen Anne's Lace. In some places it is known as bishop's lace and others as wild carrot.

So ... do you have a botanical name for Creeping Charlie?

 

[Mariah's Meadows]

I have Glechoma hederacea (common name Creeping Charlie around here) that I've planted in my yard and give to my rabbits. They don't particularly enjoy it but it didn't harm them. The younger the plant, the more desirable they are to the buns.

I've found myself having to avoid "pet rabbit" websites for answers of what is safe or not. Most often, they basically say don't give your rabbit anything outside of hays. Homestead/livestock/breeding websites are usually more knowledgeable and accurate imo.

 

[MaggieJ]

Here's another problem: lookalike plants.

http://identifythatplant.com/three-easily-mixed-up-early-spring-plants/

 

[Mariah's Meadows]

Thanks for providing that link! I can confirm that I have fed Glechoma hederacea to my rabbits as I planted it myself from seed. I've also eaten it myself and am still here LOL

 

[Preitler]

Well, it's not that toxic, can be used as spice, but it is pretty irrelevant if it is or not - my rabbits don't eat it. Once or twice a year i rake it out because after all the grass is eaten it would take over.

 

[ladysown]

creeping charlie is one of those plants that some rabbits will eat and others will not. I have less success feeding it if it is in flower. young plants are more palatable I think? But overall it's a plant that I try to eradicate... more successful at merely control it as it's super invasive.

 

[KelleyBee]

creeping charlie is one of those plants that some rabbits will eat and others will not. I have less success feeding it if it is in flower. young plants are more palatable I think? But overall it's a plant that I try to eradicate... more successful at merely control it as it's super invasive.

You're telling me! We've tons of it, which is why I was hoping it to be a windfall for the rabbits. No such luck! Thank you for your experiential insight.

 

[KelleyBee]

Here's another problem: lookalike plants.

http://identifythatplant.com/three-easily-mixed-up-early-spring-plants/

I have all three of these plants growing here. My question is on the actual Glechoma hederacea. My apologies for my hasty posting and overlooking the need for a Latin name.

 

[Mariah's Meadows]

I was looking at that website Maggie posted again. Come to think of it, I think we may have Lamium purpureum growing in the corner of our yard, too. The square stems are pretty distinct. Whenever I had rabbits in that corner, they only ate the leaves off of that and left the stem.

 

[arachyd]

Another plant that looks similar to creeping charlie is henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). I hate touching it because to me it has a weird, musty smell but my rabbits loved it.

 

[arachyd]

I want to add that henbit is also edible for humans.