Young shoots are often eaten by animals because the fibers in the new growth have not yet completed secondary cell wall development, making the young shoots softer and easier to chew and digest. As shoots grow and age, the cells develop secondary cell walls that have a hard and tough structure. Some plants (e.g. bracken) produce toxins that make their shoots inedible or less palatable.
Young shoots are often eaten by animals because the fibers in the new growth have not yet completed secondary cell wall development making the young shoots softer and easier to chew and digest As shoots grow and age the cells develop secondary cell walls that have a hard and tough structure Some plants (eg bracken) produce toxins that make their shoots inedible or less palatable