Flowers to feed?

[DrLew]

I've seen a bit about flowers that red foots can and cannot eat - anyone know about begonias, etc? Are there flowering annuals or tropicals that torts shouldn't partake in?

 

[Yvonne G]

Begonias are edible.

 

[Redstrike]

Good plant database here:
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp

 

[FLINTUS]

Agree with redstrike-excellent website. Mine love hibsicus, broms, evening primrose, forget me not and rose to name a few

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Here's an EDIBLE FLOWERS list I use for people food but also use it as a quick look up for tortoises. You may want to cross-reference with thetortoisetable.org.uk.

Like always, variety-variety-variety, is key:

Common Name / Botanical Name
Comments

Angelica / Angelica archangelica
May be skin allergen to some individuals. Good with fish and the stems are especially popular candied.
Tastes like: celery-flavored.

Anise Hyssop / Agastache foeniculum
Tastes like: sweet, anise-like, licorice

Apple flower / Malus species
Eat in moderation; may contain cyanide precursors. Tastes like: delicate floral flavor

Arugula / Eruca vesicaria
Tastes like: nutty, spicy, peppery flavor

Basil / Ocimum basilicum
Tastes like: different varieties have different milder flavors of the corresponding leaves.
Tastes like: lemon, mint.

Bee Balm / Monarda species
Also known as bergamot, it is used to make a tea with a flavor similar to Earl Grey Tea.

Borage / Borago officinalis
Taste like: light cucumber flavor.

Burnet / Sanguisorba minor
Tastes like: faint cucumber flavor, very mild.

Calendula / Calendula officinalis
Tastes like: poor man's saffron, spicy, tangy, peppery, adds a golden hue to foods

Carnation / Dianthus caryophyllus (aka Dianthus)
Tastes like: spicy, peppery, clove-like

Chamomile / Chamaemelum nobile
Tastes like: faint apple flavor, good as a tea

Chicory / Cichorium intybus
Blue flowers. Buds can be pickled.

Chives: Garden / Allium schoenoprasum
Tastes like: mild onion flavor.

Chives: Garlic / Allium tuberosum
Tastes like: garlicky flavor

Chrysanthemum: Garland / Chrysanthemum coronarium
Tastes like: slight to bitter flavor, pungent

Citrus: Lemon / Citrus limon
Tastes like: waxy, pronounced flavor, use sparingly as an edible garnish, good for making citrus waters

Clover / Trifolium species
Raw flowerheads can be difficult to digest.

Coriander / Coriander sativum
Pungent. A prime ingredient in salsa and many Latino and Oriental dishes.
Tastes like: Some palates detect a disagreeable soapy flavor while others adore it.

Cornflower / Centaurea cynaus (aka Bachelor's Buttons)
Tastes like: sweet to spicy, clove-like

Dandelion / Taraxacum officinalis
Tastes like: very young buds fried in butter taste similar to mushrooms. Makes a potent wine.

Day Lily / Hemerocallis species
Many Lilies (Lillium species) contain alkaloids and are NOT edible.
Daylillies may act as a laxative. Tastes like: sweet, crunchy, like a crisp lettuce leaf, faintly like chestnuts or beans

Dill / Anthum graveolens

English Daisy / Bellis perennis
Tastes like: tangy, leafy

Fennel / Foeniculum vulgare
Tastes like: sweet, licorice flavor.

Fuchsia / Fuchsia X hybrida
Tastes like: slightly acidic

Gardenia / Gardenia jasminoides
Tastes like: light, sweet flavor

Gladiolus / Gladiolus spp
Tastes like: similar to lettuce

Hibiscus / Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Tastes like: slightly acidic, boiled makes a nice beverage (jamaica)

Hollyhock / Alcea rosea
Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor

Honeysuckle: Japanese / Lonicera japonica
Berries are highly poisonous. Do not eat them! Flowers only. Also for tea.

Hyssop / Hyssopus officinalis
Should be avoided by pregnant women and by those with hypertension and epilepsy.

Impatiens / Impatiens wallerana
Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor

Jasmine: Arabian / Jasminum sambac
Tastes like: delicate sweet flavor, used for teas.

Johnny-Jump-Up / Viola tricolor
Contains saponins and may be toxic in large amounts. Tastes like: sweet to bland flavor

Lavender / Lavendula species
Lavender oil may be poisenous. Tastes like: floral, slightly perfumey flavor

Lemon Verbena / Aloysia triphylla
Tastes like: lemony flavor, usually steeped for tea

Lilac / Syringa vulgaris
Tastes like: lemony, floral, pungent

Mallow: Common / Malva sylrestris
Tastes like: sweet, delicate flavor

Marigold: Signet / Tagetes tenuifolia (aka T. signata)
Tastes like: spicy to bitter

Marjoram / Origanum majorana

Mint / Mentha species

Mustard / Brassica species
Eating in large amounts may cause red skin blotches.

Nasturtium / Tropaeolum majus
Buds are often pickled and used like capers. Tastes like: sweet, mildly pungent, peppery flavor

Okra / Abelmoschus aesculentus

(Hibiscus esculentus)
Tastes like: similar to squash blossoms
Pansy / Viola X wittrockiana
Tastes like: very mild sweet to tart flavor

Pea / Pisum species
Note: Flowering ornamental sweet peas are poisonous.

Pineapple Guava / Feijoa sellowiana
Tastes like: similar to the ripe fruit of the plant, flavorful

Primrose / Primula vulgaris
Birdseye Primrose (P. farinosa) causes contact dermatitis. Tastes like: bland to sweet flavor

Radish / Raphanus sativus
Tastes like: milder, sweeter version of the more familiar radish heat

Redbud / Cercis canadensis
Tastes like: mildly sweet

Rose / Rosa rugosa or R. gallica officinalis
Tastes like: sweet, aromatic flavor, stronger fragrance produces a stronger flavor. Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals. Rose hips are also edible.

Rosemary / Rosmarinus officinalis
Tastes like: pine-like, sweet, savory.

Runner Bean / Phaseolus coccineus
Tastes like: nectar, bean-like

Safflower / Carthamus tinctorius
Another "poor man's saffron" without the pungent aroma or strong flavor of the real thing

Sage / Salvia officinalis
Sage should not be eaten in large amounts over a long period of time. Tastes like: varies by type.

Savory: Summer / Satureja hortensis

Scented Geranium / Pelargonium species
Citronella variety may not be edible. Tastes like: varies with differing varieties from lemon to mint.

Snapdragon / Antirrhinum majus
Tastes like: bland to bitter flavor

Society Garlic / Tulbaghia violacea
Tastes like: a very mild garlic flavor

Squash Blossom / Cucurbita pepo species (aka Zucchini Blossom)
Tastes like: sweet, nectar flavor.

Sunflower / Helianthus annus
Tastes like: leafy, slightly bitter. Lightly steam petals to lessen bitterness. Unopened flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.

Thyme / Thymus vulgaris
Tastes like: lemon, adds a nice light scent.

Tuberous Begonia / Begonia X tuberosa ONLY HYBRIDs are edible.
The flowers and stems contain oxalic acid and should not be consumed by individuals suffering from gout, kidneystones, or rheumatism. Further, the flower should be eaten in strick moderation. Tastes like: crisp, sour, lemony

Violet / Viola species
Tastes like: sweet, nectar

(Banana) Yucca / Yucca baccata
Flowers (petals only) and fruit are edible. Other parts contain saponin, which is poisonous. Large amounts may be harmful. Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor