My Beardie Wants To Eat This Weed

Niche4Tone · Sep 24, 2016

We can't even take him out in the yard anymore because he will dive bomb for it. He's obsessed with this plant! I can't seem to find out exactly what it is but some say it looks like Mexican Clover. We are in coastal GA. The plant grows all over my yard like ground cover because we refuse to use chemicals or fertilizers on the yard. I'm just worried if it is safe for him to eat. Until I find out, he has to stay house bound but we miss his companionship when we are all outside.

LinusTheOrange · Sep 24, 2016

your agricultural extension office can tell you what the name of the plant is, and then you can look up the plant and whether or not its safe to eat.

Niche4Tone · Sep 25, 2016

I have found out it is part of the Rubiaceae family of plants, which includes Mexican Clover and Florida Pusley through some identification sites. So far no one can tell me if it is safe to eat. This family of plants is listed in medicinal sites for the roots being used to induce vomiting. There is information on PLANTS.USDA.GOV site about it's food source for birds and mammals which list it as a moderate nutrition source. But nothing about it's food source for reptiles.

So if it's safe for small mammals then is it safe for reptiles?

This seems like a very specific question that plant experts are having trouble asking. Plant experts are telling me to ask the beardie experts.
sigh.

LinusTheOrange":1wi2j57v said:
your agricultural extension office can tell you what the name of the plant is, and then you can look up the plant and whether or not its safe to eat.

Gail · Sep 25, 2016

I don't see anything that leads me to believe its dangerous to reptiles but without being able to find a definite nutritional content, whether you feel comfortable letting him eat it really is up to you.

I like to know the oxalate content of what I feed and I can't find that info on the mexican clover. I would feel comfortable letting my dragon have a few bites once in awhile but thats all.

Personally, I would go on a weed killing campaign if I had a unknown weed in my yard that the dragon was always trying to eat.

Do you leash him when outside? That combined with a blanket would at least keep him away from the plant while allowing him to still get outside time.

My Beardie Wants To Eat This Weed

Niche4Tone

New member

LinusTheOrange

Member

Niche4Tone

New member

Gail

BD.org Addict

Members online

Latest resources

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Forum statistics

Share this page