are these weeds safe

[DAC8671]

My friend has been fostering my sulcata for almost 3 years (military, we moved to a climate that he would not thrive in). We are back and getting our yard ready to have him back. We are in San Diego, CA and these weeds are taking over. However, if they are safe for him, we will stop pulling them.

The first 3 are the same type, just different areas of my yard, to get a better grasp on what they look like.

Pics 4-5-6 are the same type. Again, different areas of my yard so you can view it better.

Pics 7-13, All different weeds.

Thank you.

 

[RosemaryDW]

I notice these pictures display differently on the app than on the webiste. I see them horizontally here, in a box pattern. So number one is one the top left; number two is the top right; number three is left, on the second row; number four is right on the second floor. And so on. On the app they are vertical and straight down: 1, 2, 3, etc. Just in case anyone is having a hard time telling what is what.

Anyway! One through three are purslane: safe.
Four through six are mallow: safe.
Seven is scarlet pimpernel, not safe.
Number eight is a youngish horse weed, not necessarily dangerous but not likely to be eaten. Horse weed is also called Mare's Tail; you'll see both names on the forum.
Number nine, Is horse weed that has gone to seed. Ugh, hideous, pull it!
Number ten: I don't know but someone else will.
Number eleven is smooth sow thistle, safe.
Number twelve: I'm not good with patio/outdoor flowers. If it's been heavily fertilized or had pesticides, don't feed it, no matter what it turns out to be.
Number thirteen is spiny sow thistle: safe.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

1-3 was a weed I experienced severely as a kid growing up in Southern California. The seeds have a very hard outer covering with very sharp spikes. As it was Southern California and I was a kid, I ran around barefoot 24/7. The next group is mallow and I've yet to have a tortoise refuse it, and it's a wonderful part of a wide, well balanced diet.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Typically I use this app, http://gardenanswers.com then I head over to http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk
to see what they have to say concerning the weed being edible for tortoises. Check them out and see what you think. I only know that they have iPhone apps but I've no idea about droid apps.
With the GardenAnswers app I give them information such as where I live and where I find the plant growing. I explain my intentions of feeding the plant to tortoises if it cross checks clean. I sign off as Cowboy Ken and they've gotten to know me in a fashion.
I hope all of that helps you folks out some. And above all else, a huge thank you for your service to this fine country we live in

 

[Tom]

Mallow makes up a large portion of all my tortoises diets for several months a year. It is a great tortoise food. Sow thistle is less abundant here, but I feed it to them whenever I find it.

 

[MangoKing]

Is purslane safe to feed? tortoise table has it on the do not feed http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=321#.WUeimWjyvIU

I was sad when i saw that originally as i eat a lot of purslane once we get into the heat of summer.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Purslane is high in oxalates, which *can* bind with calcium and do bad things (that's as technical as I'm going to get!).

That doesn't make it "bad" in my limited opinion; the Tortoise Table is extremely conservative. Many owners consider it fine as part of a varied diet. I do, although my tortoise doesn't eat it that often.

If owners still have a concern, they can certainly pull it.

 

[MangoKing]

after posting this i went and did some reading on why and ran into oxalates which i have read up on before. Means i will probably let the tort have some but keep most of the purslane for myself. Probably my favorite mid summer salad green.