Digitalis purpurea , thefoxgloveor commonfoxglove , is a toxic species of bloom plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae , aboriginal to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe . It has also naturalized in parts of North America , as well as some other temperate regions . It has also naturalized in component part of North America , as well as some other temperate regions . The plant is a popular garden topic , with many cultivars available .
digitalis often grow grandiloquent , with some species reaching up to 5 base or more . Their flowers are arranged on spikes or racemes , give them a stately , vertical presence in the garden . The peak are tubelike and bell - forge , hang up elegantly from the fore . They come in various colors , predominantly subtlety of purple , pink , white , and yellow . The insides often sport intricate patterns or smirch , usually contrast with the exterior coloration .
The leaf are lance - shaped , with a rough texture , and are often quite big at the base of the plant , form a little potato . As you move up the radical , the parting become small . They can be hirsute or smooth , depend on the species . Most digitalis are biyearly , meaning they grow leaves in the first year and bloom in the second year , then die after seeding . However , some species are repeated , return year after yr , and others can be dead - live perennial or behave like perennials if conditions are correct .
digitalis are prolific self - seeder . After blooming , they farm an copiousness of seeds which can lead to new works in subsequent years , sometimes classified as weed due to their invasive potential in some garden . In some species or cultivar , the leaves might change coloring in response to environmental condition , turning more reddish or purple in frigid temperature or poor soil .
All constituent of the foxglove plant are toxic , containing cardiac glycosides like digoxin and digitoxin . These compounds can touch on the ticker , making the plant life venomous if ingest , yet they are used in heart medicament under stern aesculapian oversight .
Despite their perniciousness to homo and some beast , foxgloves draw various pollinators , including bees , butterflies , and hummingbirds , due to the shape and structure of their flowers which provide ambrosia .
Many foxglove coinage are quite hardy , tolerating cold winters ( Agriculture Department zones 4 - 8) , although some species or cultivars might need protection in extremely cold climates .
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea(Common Foxglove )
Digitalis grandiflora(Yellow Foxglove )
Digitalis lutea(Straw Foxglove )
Digitalis lanata(Grecian Foxglove )
Digitalis thapsi(Spanish Foxglove )
Digitalis ferruginea(Rusty Foxglove )
Digitalis laevigata(Giraffe Foxglove )
Digitalis obscura(Sunset Foxglove )
Digitalis purpurea ‘ Alba ’
Digitalis purpurea ‘ Excelsior ’
Digitalis purpurea ‘ Pam ’s Choice ’
Digitalis x mertonensis(Strawberry Foxglove )
Digitalis parviflora(Small - Flowered Foxglove )
Digitalis canariensis(Canary Island Foxglove )
Digitalis ciliata(Hairy Foxglove )
