Tortoise Group Information Sheet # 21

PLANTS TO GROW FOR TORTOISES

Grass:

Bermuda,    Common Bermuda is preferred, not hybrid. Other tender lawn grasses are OK

 

Perennial ornamentals:

Mexican Evening Primrose, Oenothera berlandieri Invasive, surround with several feet of dry soil.

Ivy Geranium, Pelargonium pelatum, Trailing habit is within reach of  tortoises.

Verbena, Verbena spp. White to purple

Gazania, Gazania spp., somewhat spreading  large daisy like flowers , various colors

* Tufted Evening Primrose,  Oenothera caespitosa  fragrant white flowers, reseeds readily

Hollyhock, Alcea rosea, leaves and flowers

Ground covers:

White clover, Trifolium repens

 Shrubs:

Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis  Tall open shrub, low branching, purple flowers spring through fall

Rose, Rosa,  leaves and flowers

Hibiscus, Hibiscus,   Usually needs protection in winter. Large pot on patio usually works

* Globe Mallow, Sphaeralcea spp. Native.  Spikes of coral colored flowers early spring                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Yellow Bells or Trumpets, Stenolobium (Tecoma) stans, broad-leaf variety. Not a vine. Many large flowers, spring and summer, attracts hummingbirds.

Spineless Cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica Offer new pads, only; flowers, fruit--prickly pears. Irrigate to produce new pads. Pads ready to produce are free from Tortoise Group, 739-8043

* Winterfat, Ceratoides lanata, nutritious, silvery leaves, native

Vines:

Hall’s Honeysuckle, (Set base of trellis away from wall to make a shady place)

Grape, Vitis spp, offer young leaves only, no fruit

Morning Glory, Ipomoea spp  perennial vine. Large dark purple flowers, not in full sun

Trees:

Elm, Ulmus spp. and Mulberry, Morus, spp.,  Offer young leaves only

Annuals:

Petunia, Petunia hybrida                                                                       

Nasturtium, Tropaeolum spp.  Plant from seed.                                               

Pansy, Viola spp.

Portulaca (Moss Rose) Portulaca grandiflora           

 

                                                           

WEEDS THAT MAY VOLUNTEER IN YOUR YARD

Perennials:

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale An important food plant, especially for hatchlings.

Annuals:

Filaree or Heron’s Bill, Erodium cicutarium  germinates in winter, feathery leaves, tiny purple flowers

Spurge, Euphorbia spp  appears in lawns in summer then disappears

TOXIC PLANTS

Rhubarb, Rheum rhabarbarum, leaves

Tomato,  Lycopersicon spp.,  plants

Chinaberry Tree, Melia azederach umbracalifera,  leaves and fruit must be kept off irrigated grass

Oleander, Nerium oleander, leaves and flowers. Tortoises usually ignore what falls           

* Native tortoise food plant. Available at the Desert Garden Center, College of So. Nevada                                   
6221 West Charleston Blvd., just east of Rainbow Blvd on south side of the street.  

 

Tortoise Group/Aug.03

Infosheet list