Foxglove
Foxgloves in a hedgebank
Close-up of flowers
Orange anthers and white capitate stigma
Developing capsules
Stem leaves
Foxglove in woodland in April
Digitalis purpurea
Plantaginaceae
Late May to September
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Foxglove
It is common in hedges, woods, grassland and waste
ground.
Foxglove is a striking, native, biennial herb, growing up
to 2m.
The flowers are in long spikes (1m).
Each is 4-5cm long and made up of 5 fused, pink-purple
petals.
White strains are also found.
Inside the corolla the petals are white with purple spots
and there are cilia, orange anthers and a white. filiform
style.
The fruits are capsules.
Foxgloves seed prolifically and germinate readily.
Leaves are large, alternate, broadly lanceolate and
downy.
The lower leaves are in a rosette, as seen in the
picture showing a foxglove plant before the development
of the flower spikes.
The leaves of foxgloves are the source of the heart
stimulant, digitalin.
Previous page: Field Madder
Next page: Garden Angelica
Foxgloves in a hedgebank
Close-up of flowers
Orange anthers and white capitate stigma
Developing capsules
Stem leaves
Foxglove in woodland in April
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