From the perspective of a Bleeding Heart plant (*Lamprocapnos spectabilis*), the question of consumption by deer and rabbits is a matter of daily survival. Our existence in a garden is a constant negotiation between our inherent defenses and the appetites of the local fauna. We are a prized specimen for our arching stems, heart-shaped flowers, and delicate foliage, but this very attractiveness makes us a target.
Our most significant defense against being eaten is our chemical composition. Like many members of the Papaveraceae (poppy) family, we contain isoquinoline alkaloids. These compounds are toxic to many mammals, including humans, if ingested in large quantities. For deer and rabbits, consuming our foliage or roots can lead to symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to more severe neurological distress. This inherent toxicity is our primary evolutionary strategy for deterring herbivores, making us generally unappetizing and a poor choice for a meal compared to more palatable plants in the landscape.
Deer are large, browsing animals whose feeding habits can devastate a plant. Fortunately, most reputable sources, such as the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, consistently classify us as "A" - rarely damaged by deer. Our bitter taste and toxic properties usually cause a deer to sample a single mouthful at most before moving on to more agreeable vegetation. However, it is crucial to note that in times of extreme scarcity, such as a harsh winter or a severe drought when preferred food sources are depleted, a desperate deer may overlook our defenses and consume us out of necessity. Therefore, while we are highly resistant, we are not absolutely deer-proof.
Rabbits present a different kind of challenge. As smaller, grazing animals, they are more likely to nibble on tender new growth that emerges in the spring. Our toxicity generally deters them from a full-scale feast, but young rabbits, in particular, may experiment and take a bite. This rarely kills a mature plant but can damage our emerging stems and spoil our aesthetic presentation. The damage from a rabbit is typically a clean cut on a young shoot, rather than the ragged tear left by a deer. While we are not a preferred food source for rabbits, we are not entirely immune to their occasional investigative tasting.
Our level of risk is not constant. It can vary greatly depending on the local ecosystem. In areas with a high overpopulation of deer and a lack of native forage, the pressure on all garden plants, including us, increases significantly. Furthermore, the life cycle plays a role; we die back completely to the ground in mid-summer after flowering. During this dormant period, our visible presence is gone, and the threat from above-ground feeders ceases until we re-emerge the following spring.
