FINCHforum

Anybody know if this is chickweed? It's growing everywhere right now, and I want to make sure it's not something toxic before I give it to my birds.
Thankfully there's plenty in my yard, and we're pesticide-free!
Thanks!

That is not chickweed. However, I have seen it growing in my area. Let me try find what it is and if it is edible.

Got it! It's called Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta). It is edible for human consumption, but I don't know about birds? I have picked it and sniffed it before and I do recall it having a radish-like scent. Here is a video on the plant as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mbfomOQnNw

We have tons of it here, but I have never consumed it. It looks similar to Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), but the leaves are the dead giveaway in the differences. Hope this helps! Bittercress it is.

Edit: No prob! Dandelion and chickweed are invasive weeds. You should be able to find them in your yard as well. Good luck!

Good to know. Thanks!

Beware the milky sap...I was rushed to eye hospital in agony after handling these type of weeds...wash your hands well.