Russian Thistle???

[Millinex]

I have a ton of this stuff growing around here, and it's super easy to just yank the whole plant clean out of the ground, cut the root off, and toss it in a cage, and the rabbits seem to really love it. Been using it sparingly because I don't know how "safe" it is. I know the wild bunnies eat it pretty often so it can't be too bad...

Am I safe using this more often/offering it freely?

 

[Secuono]

Isn't Russian thistle what tumbleweeds are made of? =D
There's so many kinds of thistles...no idea if that one is safe or not...

 

[Millinex]

Isn't Russian thistle what tumbleweeds are made of? =D
There's so many kinds of thistles...no idea if that one is safe or not...

Sure is, but I have plenty of the non tumbleweed versions growing all over hell here! LOL!

 

[DogCatMom]

Genus name for Russian thistle is Salsola. There are 26 species, one of which is tumbleweed. I did just a quick search; couldn't find info on safety for bunnies. Sites discussed edibility/palatability of younger plants to cattle, sheep and lack of same for older plants.

Maybe take it from there?

 

[Millinex]

I've been told its fine for livestock so far. The bunnies love it. All except one French lop lol

 

[MaggieJ]

We still need the Latin name for the type of Russian thistle you are feeding, Millinex. Without that, other members cannot identify what they have and will be reluctant to put their rabbits at risk by feeding it.

 

[Millinex]

Salsola iberica is the latin name of the one I'm using at the moment.

 

[MaggieJ]

Thanks, Millinex!

It appears that a related species, Salsola tragus, is just about all over North America. I'll have to look into this.

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SATR12

 

[Millinex]

Thanks, Millinex!

It appears that a related species, Salsola tragus, is just about all over North America. I'll have to look into this.

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SATR12

Likely I do have both growing here, but in different areas. I reckon most Salsola sp. are probably to be treated the same.