Chickweed?

Lemon Poundcake · Post by **Lemon Poundcake** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:51 pm

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!

bugaboo5 · Post by **bugaboo5** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:56 pm

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.

bugaboo5 · Post by **bugaboo5** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:14 pm

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!

Lemon Poundcake · Post by **Lemon Poundcake** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:26 pm

Good to know. Thanks!

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 3:54 pm

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

FINCHforum

Chickweed?

Chickweed?

Re: Chickweed?

Re: Chickweed?

Re: Chickweed?

Re: Chickweed?