Plants on Herpeton Academy

Arugula

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Arugula is a familiar leafy plant from shops and gardens and can be a useful supplement in the diet of herbivorous reptiles. It is not a complete staple on its own, but it is practical when wild plants are limited.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Eruca vesicaria is an annual plant in the Brassicaceae family, also known as rocket or salad rocket.

Calendula

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Calendula is a familiar garden plant with bright orange or yellow flowers and is a useful edible-flower supplement for herbivorous reptiles. It is best used for variety rather than as a main food plant.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Calendula officinalis is an annual herb in the Asteraceae family, commonly grown in gardens.

Identified by:

Orange or yellow daisy-like flower heads
Soft slightly sticky leaves
Aromatic green stems and foliage

It is mainly cultivated but may self-seed in gardens and mild climates.

Chickweed

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chickweed is a soft, moisture-rich wild plant that many reptiles accept readily. It is useful in mixed feeding, especially for adding variety and palatability, but it should not replace tougher high-fiber weeds as the main base of the diet.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Stellaria media is a low-growing annual in the Caryophyllaceae family.

Identified by:

Small opposite leaves
Thin creeping or sprawling stems
Tiny white star-like flowers
A single line of fine hairs running along the stem

It grows in gardens, cultivated ground, pots, lawns, and disturbed damp places, especially in cooler weather.

Chicory

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chicory is one of Europe’s most widespread wild plants, recognized by its distinctive bright blue flowers. Its leaves and flowers are suitable for regular use in the diet of herbivorous reptiles; the characteristic bitterness of the Cichorium genus is entirely natural and safe.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Cichorium intybus is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family.

Clover

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Clover is one of the most widespread plants in temperate grasslands and a natural component of the environment of many herbivorous reptiles. It is rich in vitamins and minerals but should be fed in moderation due to its higher protein content.

🌿 Description and Distribution

The genus Trifolium includes many species, the most common in Europe being:

Trifolium repens — white clover; with white to pale pink spherical flower heads
Trifolium pratense — red clover; with larger, pink-red flower heads
Trifolium dubium — lesser trefoil; with small yellow flowers

All three species are safe for reptile feeding. Found in meadows, pastures, gardens, and verges. Flowers from spring through autumn.

Dandelion

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dandelion is one of the most recognizable wild plants in temperate climates and one of the most valuable food sources for herbivorous reptiles. Its leaves, flowers, and buds are rich in calcium, vitamin A, and fiber, with a favorable calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Taraxacum officinale agg. is a widely distributed herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. It represents a group of closely related species grouped under a collective name, with practically indistinguishable nutritional characteristics.

Endive

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Endive is a cultivated plant from the Cichorium genus, closely related to wild chicory. Available year-round from shops, it is particularly valuable as a winter food for herbivorous reptiles when wild plants are not accessible.

🌿 Description and Varieties

Cichorium endivia comes in two main types:

Curly endive / Frisée (var. crispum) — with densely frilled, deeply cut leaves; more bitter; stronger flavour
Broad-leaf endive / Escarole (var. latifolium) — with wider, softer leaves; less bitter; more readily accepted by reptiles

Both types are suitable for feeding. Leaves are light green with paler, nearly white midribs; inner leaves are more blanched due to shading during cultivation.

Field Bindweed

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Field bindweed is a common climbing or trailing wild plant that can be used in moderate amounts for herbivorous reptiles. The key issue is identification: it should only be collected when the plant is confidently recognized.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Convolvulus arvensis is a perennial vine-like plant in the Convolvulaceae family.

Identified by:

Slender twining or creeping stems
Arrow-shaped leaves
Funnel-shaped white to pale pink flowers
Strong spreading root system

It occurs in field margins, gardens, dry grassland, disturbed ground, and agricultural land.

Mallow

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mallow is a widely distributed herbaceous plant with palatable leaves and flowers, rich in mucilage, calcium, and fiber. It is suitable for regular inclusion in the diet of herbivorous reptiles and particularly beneficial for the digestive tract.

🌿 Description and Distribution

The genus Malva includes several common species:

Malva sylvestris — common mallow; the largest species, with pink-purple flowers with dark veins
Malva neglecta — dwarf mallow; smaller, with pale pink to white flowers
Malva moschata — musk mallow; with more deeply cut leaves and pink flowers

All species are suitable for reptile feeding. They grow in gardens, roadsides, waste ground, and disturbed areas. Leaves are available from spring through autumn.

Nasturtium

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Nasturtium is a well-known garden plant with edible leaves and flowers. It can be a useful supplementary food for herbivorous reptiles, especially as a home-grown source of safe flowers and tender greens.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Tropaeolum majus is a trailing or climbing annual commonly grown in gardens and containers.

Identified by:

Round shield-like leaves
Bright orange, red, or yellow flowers with a spur
Creeping or climbing growth habit

It is mainly cultivated rather than truly wild, though it may self-seed in suitable conditions.

Plantain

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plantain is one of the most widespread and easily recognized wild plants in temperate climates. Its leaves are rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamins, making it a valuable dietary addition for herbivorous reptiles.

🌿 Description and Distribution

The genus Plantago includes many species, the most common in Europe being:

Plantago major — broadleaf plantain, with wide, oval leaves and prominent veins
Plantago lanceolata — ribwort plantain, with elongated, lance-shaped leaves
Plantago media — hoary plantain

All are suitable for reptile feeding and occur in meadows, roadsides, lawns, and disturbed ground. They flower from spring to autumn; leaves are available almost year-round.

Shepherd's Purse

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Shepherd’s purse is a widespread wild weed and a familiar food item in the natural environment of many herbivorous reptiles. It is best used as part of a varied diet rather than as a single major staple.

🌿 Description and Distribution

Capsella bursa-pastoris is an annual or short-lived biennial plant in the Brassicaceae family.

Identified by:

Basal rosette of toothed leaves
Slender upright stems with small white flowers
Distinctive heart-shaped seed pods

It grows in gardens, disturbed ground, field margins, paths, and waste places, often from autumn to spring and again in cooler parts of the year.

Terrarium Plants

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Live plants are both a structural and biological element in a terrarium. They stabilize the microclimate, support humidity, provide hiding places, and encourage natural behavior. Plant choice must match the type of environment: dry, tropical, or paludarium.

🌵 Plants for dry terrariums

Suitable for desert lizards, dry-adapted snakes, and invertebrates. These plants require strong light, and the soil should be sandy and very well drained.

Recommended species: