Asters are popular perennial flowers known for their vibrant, late-season blooms and hardiness. Since homeowners who cultivate these plants often share their space with local wildlife, seeing rabbits foraging nearby is common. This raises questions about the safety of asters for the animals and the plant’s likelihood of being consumed. This article addresses whether rabbits eat asters and details the implications for the animal’s health and the plant’s survival.
The Answer: Do Rabbits Consume Asters?
Rabbits consume asters, and for many wild rabbits, the plant is a preferred food source, particularly when new, tender growth is available. The palatability of asters (Symphyotrichum genus) makes them an attractive target for foraging rabbits throughout the growing season. This tendency is especially noticeable when more desirable grasses or weeds are scarce, such as in late fall or early spring.
The extent of consumption depends on local factors, including the availability of other forage and the specific aster variety planted. Rabbits tend to favor soft, succulent shoots and stems over the tougher, more mature foliage. Rabbits are widely recognized as a threat that can cause significant damage to the plant.
Safety First: The Toxicity of Asters to Rabbits
While rabbits readily eat asters, the plants contain secondary metabolites that can cause mild health issues. Asters are known to contain triterpenoidal saponins, compounds plants produce as a defense mechanism against herbivores. These saponins are molecularly similar to soap and can taste bitter, which may deter some animals from eating large quantities.
When ingested, saponins primarily affect the sensitive membranes of the rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract. This irritation can lead to mild digestive upset, manifesting as a temporary decrease in appetite or soft stool. The rabbit’s digestive anatomy is particularly vulnerable because they are unable to vomit, meaning ingested irritants must pass entirely through their system.
Asters are not typically categorized among highly poisonous plants that cause immediate, severe toxicity or death in rabbits. However, a large quantity of saponin-containing foliage could destabilize the delicate balance of the rabbit’s hindgut, which is responsible for fermentation. Domestic rabbits should be prevented from consuming asters in bulk to avoid gastrointestinal distress.
Identifying Rabbit Feeding Patterns
Determining if a rabbit is the culprit behind damaged asters requires looking for specific feeding signatures. Rabbits possess sharp incisors that create a very clean, angled cut on the plant’s stem, almost as if snipped with shears. This contrasts sharply with the ragged, torn appearance left by animals like deer, which lack upper incisors and tear vegetation.
Rabbit damage is also characteristically low to the ground, reflecting the animal’s small stature. The feeding height typically does not exceed one to two feet, concentrating damage on the lower leaves and young stems. Finding small, pea-sized, round droppings (pellets) near the base of the damaged plants provides confirmation that a rabbit has been foraging.
Protecting Your Aster Plants from Foraging
Protecting asters from browsing rabbits is most effectively achieved through physical exclusion methods. A reliable fence made of chicken wire or hardware cloth is the most direct solution to prevent access. For effective exclusion, the barrier should stand at least two to three feet tall to prevent rabbits from jumping over it.
Since rabbits are adept at burrowing, the bottom edge of the fence must be secured to the ground to block this entry point. Burying the wire at least four to six inches deep, or bending the wire outward in an “L” shape and securing it to the surface, will deter digging. Scent-based or taste-based repellents can also be used as a secondary measure, but they require frequent reapplication, especially after rain, and their efficacy often diminishes as rabbits become accustomed to the odor.
The combination of the plant’s appeal and its mild irritant compounds means that while rabbits might sample asters, they pose a clear threat to a healthy garden. Understanding the animal’s consumption habits and the necessary protection strategies allows a gardener to successfully cultivate asters while managing local wildlife.