Plant Categories - The Tortoise table

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The Tortoise Table

Apple (Fruit)

Common name : Apple (Fruit)
Latin name : Malus domestica
Family name : Rosaceae

Feed only in moderation to fruit eating species. Avoid offering the pips.

Apricot (Fruit)

Common name : Apricot (Fruit)
Latin name : Prunus armeniaca
Family name : Prunus armeniaca

Only offer the Apricot fruit to a small part of the diet of tortoises that are fruit-eaters.

Asparagus

Common name : Asparagus
Latin name : Asparagus officinalis
Family name : Asparagaceae

Just a little every now and again as a treat will not do any harm.

Aubergine (Eggplant)

Common name : Aubergine (Eggplant)
Latin name : Solanum melongena
Family name : Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)

All green parts are highly toxic.

Avocado Fruit (Alligator Pear, Avocado Pear)

Common name : Avocado Fruit (Alligator Pear, Avocado Pear)
Latin name : Persea Americana, syn: Persea gratissima
Family name : Lauraceae

Do not offer any part of this plant to your tortoise as it contains toxic properties.

Banana (Plantain) (Fruit)

Common name : Banana (Plantain) (Fruit)
Latin name : Musa acuminata; Musa balbisiana
Family name : Musaceae

Do not offer the fruit of the banana to your tortoise unless it is a fruit-eating species.

Bean (Runner Bean, French Bean, Green Bean, String Bean)

Common name : Bean (Runner Bean, French Bean, Green Bean, String Bean)
Latin name : Phaseolus coccineus; P. vulgaris
Family name : Fabaceae/Leguminosae (Pea family)

Only offer young leaves in moderation as part of a varied diet.

Black Currant (Blackcurrant)

Common name : Black Currant (Blackcurrant)
Latin name : Ribes nigrum
Family name : Grossulariaceae

We do not recommend you feed this plant to your tortoise.

Blackberry

Common name : Blackberry
Latin name : Rubus spp., esp. Rubus fruticosus
Family name : Rosaceae

Only feed the fruit to fruit-eating species.

Broccoli (Calabrese, Sprouting Broccoli)

Common name : Broccoli (Calabrese, Sprouting Broccoli)
Latin name : Brassica oleracea (Italica Group)
Family name : Brassicaceae/Cruciferae

We recommend that you do not feed Broccoli to your tortoise.

Brussels Sprouts (Brussel Sprouts)

Common name : Brussels Sprouts (Brussel Sprouts)
Latin name : Brassica oleraceae (Gemmifera Group)
Family name : Brassicaceae

Feed in moderation during winter seasone when other foods are less available.

Cabbage (Red Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage, White Cabbage)

Common name : Cabbage (Red Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage, White Cabbage)
Latin name : Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group); Brassica oleracea var. sabauda; Brassica oleracea, var. capitata f. rubra.
Family name : Brassicaceae/Cruciferae

We do not recommend that you feed Cabbage to your tortoise.

Carrot

Common name : Carrot
Latin name : Daucus carota sativus
Family name : Apiaceae/Umbelliferaceae

Only offer occasionally if at all.

Cauliflower

Common name : Cauliflower
Latin name : Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group)
Family name : Brassicaceae/Cruciferae

We recommend you do not feed Cauliflower to your tortoise.

Celery

Common name : Celery
Latin name : Apium graveolens
Family name : Apiaceae/Umbelliferacea

Although not toxic we do not recommend that you feed Celery to your tortoise.

Chard (Swiss Chard)

Common name : Chard (Swiss Chard)
Latin name : Beta vulgaris
Family name : Chenopodiaceae

Only feed occasionally as part of a varied diet.

Cherry (Fruit)

Common name : Cherry (Fruit)
Latin name : Prunus spp.
Family name : Rosaceae

Discard Cherry stones and only offer to fruit eating species as part of a varied diet.

Chicory

Common name : Chicory
Latin name : Cichorium endivia
Family name : Asteracaea/Compositae

Only feed as part of a varied diet when weed plants are unavailable. See *Endive*

Chili Pepper (Chilli Pepper, Hot Pepper)

Common name : Chili Pepper (Chilli Pepper, Hot Pepper)
Latin name : Capiscum spp.
Family name : Solanaceae

Do not feed any part of this plant to your tortoise.

Chives

Common name : Chives
Latin name : Allium schoenoprasum
Family name : Amaryllidaceae

We do not recommend you feed any part of this plant to your tortoise.

Citrus Fruits (Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Satsuma, Mandarin)

Common name : Citrus Fruits (Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Satsuma, Mandarin)
Latin name : Citrus spp.
Family name : Rutaceae

Do not feed citrus fruits to your tortoise.

Corn on the Cob (Corn, Sweet Corn, Sweetcorn)

Common name : Corn on the Cob (Corn, Sweet Corn, Sweetcorn)
Latin name : Zea mays
Family name : Poaceae/Gramineae

Do not feed the cobs of corn to your tortoise.

Courgette (Zucchini, Baby Marrow)

Common name : Courgette (Zucchini, Baby Marrow)
Latin name : Cucurbita pepo
Family name : Cucurbitaceae

The flowers are fine to feed to your tortoise, but only offer the leaves or fruit occasionally in small quantities.

Cress (Mustard and Cress, Curled Cress, Garden Cress, Peppercress)

Common name : Cress (Mustard and Cress, Curled Cress, Garden Cress, Peppercress)
Latin name : Lepidium sativum; Brassica Hirta; Brassica napus
Family name : Brassicaceae/Cruciferae

Only offer as a very small part of a varied diet occasionally.

Cucumber

Common name : Cucumber
Latin name : Cucumis sativus
Family name : Curcurbitaceae

A fruit that has little nutritional value.

Dill (Dill Weed)

Common name : Dill (Dill Weed)
Latin name : Anethum graveolens
Family name : Apiaceae

Your tortoise might not like the strong flavour of Dill, but it can be offered in moderation as part of a varied diet.

Endive (Belgium Endive)

Common name : Endive (Belgium Endive)
Latin name : Chicorum endivia
Family name : Asteracaea/Compositae

Feed as part of a varied diet.

Frisée(Frisee) Lettuce

Common name : Frisée(Frisee) Lettuce
Latin name : Chicorum endivia
Family name : Asteraceae/Compositae

Feed as part of a varied diet when weeds and flowers are not available.

Globe Artichoke (Cardoon)

Common name : Globe Artichoke (Cardoon)
Latin name : Cynara scolymus; Cynara cardunculus
Family name : Asteraceae/Compositae

This plant is safe for your tortoise.

Gooseberry

Common name : Gooseberry
Latin name : Ribes uva-crispa; syn. R. grossularia
Family name : Grossulariaceae

Probably better to avoid feeding these leaves to your tortoise and do not feed the fruit unless you have a tortoise which is a fruit-eating species.

Grape

Common name : Grape
Latin name : Vitis spp.
Family name : Vitaceae

Do not feed the fruit.

Iceberg Lettuce

Common name : Iceberg Lettuce
Latin name : Lactuca sativa
Family name : Asteraceae/Compositae

Little nutritional value.

Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunroot)

Common name : Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunroot)
Latin name : Helianthus tuberosus
Family name : Asteraceae / Compositae

Leaves and flowers can occasionally be offered to your tortoise.

Kale (Curly Kale, Collard Greens, Spring Greens)

Common name : Kale (Curly Kale, Collard Greens, Spring Greens)
Latin name : Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)
Family name : Brassicaceae

A food which is useful to feed in moderation during the winter months for non-hibernating species.

Kohlrabi (Turnip Cabbage, Turnip-rooted Cabbage)

Common name : Kohlrabi (Turnip Cabbage, Turnip-rooted Cabbage)
Latin name : Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes group)
Family name : Brassicaceae

Although not toxic we do not recommend you feeding this vegetable to your tortoise.

Lamb’s Lettuce (Lambs Lettuce)

Common name : Lamb’s Lettuce (Lambs Lettuce)
Latin name : Valerianella locusta; syn. Valerianella olitoria
Family name : Valerianaceae

Fine to feed to your tortoise.

Marrow (Vegetable Marrow)

Common name : Marrow (Vegetable Marrow)
Latin name : Cucurbita pepo
Family name : Cucurbitaceae

Flowers are fine to feed but only offer the leaves and fruit as an occasional treat if at all.

Melon (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Ogen Melon, Honeydew, Galia)

Common name : Melon (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Ogen Melon, Honeydew, Galia)
Latin name : Citrullus lanatis spp., Cucumis melo spp.
Family name : Curcurbitaceae

Do not feed to tortoises unless they are a fruit-eating species.

Nectarine (Fruit)

Common name : Nectarine (Fruit)
Latin name : Prunus persica, var. nectarina
Family name : Rosaceae

Feed only in moderation to fruit eating species. Avoid offering the stones.

Onion (Garden Onion, Common Onion, Bulb Onion)

Common name : Onion (Garden Onion, Common Onion, Bulb Onion)
Latin name : Allium cepa
Family name : Liliaceae

Onions have toxic properties therefore we recommend you do not feed any part of the onion plant to your tortoise.

Pak Choi (Pak Choy, Bok Choy, Bok Choi, Chinese Cabbage)

Common name : Pak Choi (Pak Choy, Bok Choy, Bok Choi, Chinese Cabbage)
Latin name : Brassica rapa chinensis
Family name : Cruciferae/Brassicaceae

Fed as a small part of a varied diet is fine.

Pea (Pea Shoots, Pea Sprouts, Mangetout, Snow Pea, Snap Pea)

Common name : Pea (Pea Shoots, Pea Sprouts, Mangetout, Snow Pea, Snap Pea)
Latin name : Pisum sativum
Family name : Fabaceae/Leguminosae

We recommend that you do not feed peas or pea shoots to your tortoise.

Peach (Fruit)

Common name : Peach (Fruit)
Latin name : Prunus persica
Family name : Rosaceae

Feed only in moderation to fruit eating species. Avoid offering the stones.

Pear (Fruit)

Common name : Pear (Fruit)
Latin name : Pyrus spp.
Family name : Rosaceae

Only offer pears to fruit-eating species.

Plum (Fruit)

Common name : Plum (Fruit)
Latin name : Prunus domestica
Family name : Rosaceae

Offer in moderation but only to fruit-eating species.

Potato

Common name : Potato
Latin name : Solanum tuberosum
Family name : Solanaceae

The flower, leaves and tubers of this plant are toxic so do not feed to your tortoise.

Pumpkin

Common name : Pumpkin
Latin name : Curcurbita pepo
Family name : Cucurbitaceae

Safe to feed occasionally.

Radicchio

Common name : Radicchio
Latin name : Chicorum endivia
Family name : Asteracaea/Compositae

Feed as part of a varied diet when weeds and flowers flowers are not available.

Radish

Common name : Radish
Latin name : Raphanus sativus
Family name : Brassicaceae

Only offer the leaves occasionally as part of a varied diet.

Raspberry

Common name : Raspberry
Latin name : Rubus spp., esp. Rubus idaeus
Family name : Rosaceae

Only offer new leaf growth and flowers as a small part of a wider varied diet.

Red Currant (Redcurrant)

Common name : Red Currant (Redcurrant)
Latin name : Ribes rubrum
Family name : Grossulariaceae

Probably best not to feed your tortoise the leaves and fruit of the Redcurrant.

Red Leaf Lettuce (Lollo Rosso)

Common name : Red Leaf Lettuce (Lollo Rosso)
Latin name : Lactuca sativa
Family name : Asteraceae/Compositae

Can be fed when weeds are not available.

Rhubarb

Common name : Rhubarb
Latin name : Rheum spp.
Family name : Polygonaceae

Never feed to your tortoise.

Rocket (Arugula, Rucola, Salad Rocket)

Common name : Rocket (Arugula, Rucola, Salad Rocket)
Latin name : Eruca sativa, Eruca vesicaria
Family name : Brassicaceae

Feed occasionally as part of a varied diet.

Romaine Lettuce (Garden Lettuce, Cos Lettuce).

Common name : Romaine Lettuce (Garden Lettuce, Cos Lettuce).
Latin name : Lactuca sativa
Family name : Asteraceae/Compositae (Daisy family).

One of the better salad greens vegetables. Feed as part of a varied diet.

Spinach

Common name : Spinach
Latin name : Spinacia oleracea
Family name : Amaranthaceae (formerly Chenopodiaceae)

Do not feed to your tortoise.

Squash

Common name : Squash
Latin name : Cucurbita spp. esp. Cucurbita pepo; Cucurbita maxima; Cucurbita moschata
Family name : Curcurbitaceae

Flowers can be fed as part of a varied diet. The leaves will do no harm if nibbled on occasion.

Strawberry

Common name : Strawberry
Latin name : Fragaria spp.
Family name : Rosaceae

Feed young leaves occasionally as part of a varied diet.

Sweet Pepper (Green Pepper, Pepper, Capsicum, Bell Pepper)

Common name : Sweet Pepper (Green Pepper, Pepper, Capsicum, Bell Pepper)
Latin name : Capsicum spp.
Family name : Solanaceae

we recommend that you only offer sparingly to fruit eating species.

Sweet Potato

Common name : Sweet Potato
Latin name : Ipomoea batatas
Family name : Convolvulaceae

We recommend that you do not feed the leaves or the root vegetable of this plant.

Tomato

Common name : Tomato
Latin name : Solanum lycopersicon; syn. Lycopersicon esculentum
Family name : Solanaceae

Probably best to avoid.

White Currant (Whitecurrant, Skunk Currant, Pink Currant, Yellow Currant)

Common name : White Currant (Whitecurrant, Skunk Currant, Pink Currant, Yellow Currant)
Latin name : Ribes glandulosum
Family name : Grossulariaceae

We do not recommend you feed the leaves or fruit of this plant to your tortoise.

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