Dandelions are on the list of edible flowers, but just checking

[camo]

Hey all,

I've got a patch of dandelions that I have allowed to grow. It's on my property so I'm certain they are pesticide free, but I just wanted to make sure that what I considered Dandilions were the same as what they are referring to on the list of edible flowers for Eclectus Parrots on this site:

flowers

Here is a picture of what I have:



Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Cameron

 

[chris-md]

Yep go for it. I fm give them to Parker every once in a while. He's not crazy about them but you keno how they are with new food. He still needs to get used to them. Next spring I'll introduce the leaves, though he's not huge on leafy stuff.

 

[itchyfeet]

Yup - I know how you feel! Henry LOOOOVES his dandelions, which look just like that, but I still can't bring myself to give him Camelia despite it being safe on the lists!

 

[camo]

Thank you for the quick replies.

Here is Gizmo and Pebbles trying out the Dandelions.







It was a hit, they seemed to really like them. I'm still going to do a slow introduction and monitor them, just in case.

Cheers,

Camo

 

[lizard]

So cute! Wish my neighbors didn't use weed killers and fertilizers. I'm sure it migrates because every year my dog gets sick (just finally put 2 and 2 together; my poor pup).

 

[jibbs1977]

Do you give them just the head or green bits aswell?

 

[Christinenc2000]

Great Thread. Love the pictures.

 

[Uglow]

Great question and love the pics Camo.

 

[DexMom]

My husband insists we spray for them, so my poor Dex does not get to enjoy any of those dandy lions!

 

[Allee]

Looks like the dandelions are a hit with Gizmo and Pebbles. Great photos!

 

[dhraiden]

The yard has tons....hmm, why didn't I think of this? For the curious:

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

My husband insists we spray for them, so my poor Dex does not get to enjoy any of those dandy lions!

I have the same problem. Our HOA mandates that our lawns are fertilized and weeded, so it's a no go. I thought about doing a couple pots of edibles on the deck, so does anyone have any good suggestions for edible flowers?

 

[dhraiden]

any good suggestions for edible flowers?

Bird-Safe Edible Flowers
Acacia
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata)
Apple blossum (Malus domestica)
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Bee balm (Monarda)
Borage blossoms (Borago officinalis)
Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.)
Calendula (Pot Marigold) (Calendula officinalis)
Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chives (allium schoenoprasum)
Coriander/cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Daises
Dandelion (Taraxacum)
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Dill (Anethum graveolen)
Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)
Eucalyptus
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Garlic (Allium sativum L.)
Gladiolus
Grapefruit (Citrus x paradise)
Hibiscus
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Impatiens
Jarcaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
Kumquat (various Fortunella species)
Lilac (Oleaceae Syringa)
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
Lemon (Citrus × lemon)
Milk thistle (Silybum species)
Melalecuca (Melaleuca quinquinervia)
Nasturtiums
Orchid tree (Bauhinia verigata)
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Pansies (Viola tricolor)
Passion flowers (Passifloraceae Passiflora)
Petunia (Petunia spp.)
Plum (Prunoideae Prunus)
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo or Cucurbita mixta)
Roses/Rose hips (Rosoideae Rosa)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Thyme (Lamiaceae Thyme)
Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo.)
Violets (Violaceae Viola)

 

[camo]

Ah those were the days, when Dandelions were plentiful, Gizmo and Pebbles really did love them (although I only gave them the heads). Sounds like you guys are going into the season now, get stuck into it while you have the chance.

Cheers,

Camo

 

[jtidwell]

Good to know! Our yard's dandelions are just appearing. I gave one to Hope, and she pinned her eyes at the first bite. But she's a picky eater, and I found half of it in her dish later.

She hates the cooked dandelion greens. Maybe she'll be more interested in raw ones.

 

[chris-md]

Smear the head in coconut oil. Got Parker to eat most of the petals.