HeatherFeather76
Member
Is this a plantain?
is this a plantain?
- Thread starter HeatherFeather76
- Start date
Off hand I'd say it looks to be broadleaf plantain to me, to be certain I'd like to see an older picture…
HeatherFeather76
Member
I'm not sure if you meant another or not but here you go. And whatever it is the critters sure seem to like it there's already a little bites taken out of it.
Funny.....in Jamaica, Plantain is a fruit like banana, but larger, and it grows on a tree that looks just like a banana tree. You can eat fried green plantain or bake the ripe plantain and it is very sweet.
So it is nothing like what is shown here. So....plantain is not the same everywhere.
So it is nothing like what is shown here. So....plantain is not the same everywhere.
It could be a young plantain.
Compare it with the pics on www.thetortoisetable.org.uk
Compare it with the pics on www.thetortoisetable.org.uk
HeatherFeather76
Member
Lol yeah however I don't think I will be frying it up and eating it! Yuck
HeatherFeather76
Member
yeah I actually asked my mother-in-law and she said yes it's a baby one but it is one thank you
Yes! Take care of it, let it bloom and when seeds are ripe harvest and replant. Great tort food!
Ken meant he'd like to see a picture of the plant when it gets older.
Yes, I see the picture on that site. I have to admit I have never seen "baby" plantains, only the mature trees. And I see that "banana" has "plantain" in brackets after it, although it is certainly not the same thing, as you can eat ripe banana raw, of course, but not plantain.
I absolutely love fried or baked ripe plantain - it is delicious!
Really now - just try frying or baking the ripe plantain. Absolutely scrumptious!
HeatherFeather76
Member
Yeah I realized almost as soon as I said that, that they are edible for humans to and I'm sure I definitely will try it thanks!
Heather, not sure if you totally follow Tammy. she is talking about the type of Banana that is the plantain. Not the weed, plantain...
Plantain weed our tortoises love,
Plantain Tammy loves and eats,
Grows like this,
HeatherFeather76
Member
Lol Yeah I know I got it thank you
HeatherFeather76
Member
I know I'll never look at weeds the same way again... this is so neat to be able to grow and go out and pick your animals food.
That is a baby broadleaf plantain weed. I've got tons of that stuff here and its spreading and thriving, which I and my tortoises are thrilled about!
There is also a narrow leaf plantain and my tortoises seem to like that one even more. I've been collecting and spreading the seeds from this one on purpose. It also thrives here. Both do well in summer as long as they are watered, and both survive the mild freezes we get here in winter, but they don't grow much in winter.
There is also a narrow leaf plantain and my tortoises seem to like that one even more. I've been collecting and spreading the seeds from this one on purpose. It also thrives here. Both do well in summer as long as they are watered, and both survive the mild freezes we get here in winter, but they don't grow much in winter.
I actually was like you and a bit confused when I first heard about plantain for tortoises. My first exposure to plantain was on vacation in Jamaica. Didn't know there was a weed called plantain as well!!
Here is the narrow leaf plantain:
HeatherFeather76
Member
Thanks that's great. Where do u spread the seeds? I've let yard grow out and designated a lot of mow free zones around trees shed edges of driveway and walks weeds are plentiful . It stays pretty warm here too basically. Do u grow any indoors? I'm going back out tomorrow to check on some plants I found last week. Plantains (beautiful ones narrow and wide) filigree, chickweed, ice plant. I have to much to list growing in my yard that is on the approved food list. I'm hoping between what's growing outside and what I'm growing indoors will provide a great weed buffet. P.S. I took note of the freezing thread will be very helpful.
