What is this plant?

[Maritz]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forums, so firstly "hello"!

I'm trying to identify this plant that seems to be growing in patches all over the fields at our place. Does anyone have any idea what it is and whether it's going to be a problem when we come to put the horses out there? Is it poisonous, will they eat it, will it spread, how do we get rid of it??

When you walk through it after a dry spell it seems to give off a white powdery dust. Assume it's the spores or something?

Anyway, here's some pictures, if anyone can help that would be much appreciated! Thanks!!


http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3688/1000760rg.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6748/1000761s.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8335/1000763d.jpg

 

[SpottedCat]

It looks like Sheep's Sorrel, though the leaves are a bit small - could just be the life-stage of the plant though. It's related to docks, and you can eat the leaves. Not poisonous as far as I know, but a devil to get rid of (should you want to) as it spreads using underground rhizomes.

 

[Finlib]

http://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2...&sigr=11u986f86&sigi=11m4jepom&sigb=12evmj56l
This is a link to a picture of sheep sorrell, It does look like the plant you have got
Animals like, sheep, deer and horses will graze on sorrel. The caterpillar of the small copper butterfly will eat common sorrel, sheep sorrel and dock leaves .
Seems to be ok to eat but does spread

 

[rosie fronfelen]

it looks like a sorrel, trouble is if baled with silage or haylage it will taste sour.

 

[Maritz]

Wow, thank you all for those very quick replies! It's probably something we'll want to get rid of then, but at least it's not too worrying. From doing some research now I know what it is, it looks like you don't want to let horses eat too much of it, but a little bit is ok.

Thanks again everyone!