One plant that foxglove is usually misguided for is Borago officinalis . Borage , also known as Borago officinalis , is a culinary herb that is often used as an ingredient in solid food . It has bright gentle flowers and hirsute leaves , which can easy be confused with the leaves of foxglove .
The confusion between foxglove and tailwort can be assign to their similar visual aspect . Both plant life have large , across-the-board leaves that are green in color . The leaves of foxglove are stage in a little potato pattern at the Qaeda of the plant , while the leaves of borage are alternative and grow along the shank . However , when the leaves of both plants are viewed separately , they may come along quite similar .
One central dispute between foxglove and tailwort is the comportment of cardiac glycoside in foxglove foliage . These cardiac glycoside , particularly digitoxin , are extremely toxic to human race and can be fatal if ingested . Therefore , it is crucial to right identify foxglove and avoid slip it for Borago officinalis or any other industrial plant .
In my personal experience as a horticulture and landscape gardening expert , I have come up across instances where people have erroneously key foxglove as borage . This can be a dangerous error , especially for those who are incognizant of the toxic properties of digitalis . It is essential to educate oneself about the characteristics of different plant and exercise caution when handle unfamiliar species .
To differentiate between foxglove and borage , it is helpful to consider the overall visual aspect of the plants . Borage is a herbaceous plant that grows upright and can reach a summit of around two metrical unit . It produces clusters of brilliant blue , star - mould flowers , which are often used as a ornamental constituent in salads or boozing . The leaves of borage are haired and have a wrinkled grain , giving them a distinct visual aspect .
On the other hand , foxglove is a biyearly plant that mature in a more vertical manner , with improbable spikes of tubular peak . The prime of digitalis can range in colouring from pink to purple , and they are coiffe along the length of the stem . The leaves of foxglove are big , shaft - shaped , and have a fluent grain .
To summarize , foxglove leaves are often mistaken for borage due to their similar appearance . However , it is crucial to correctly key out foxglove as it contains cardiac glycosides that are toxic to humans . By cautiously observing the overall characteristic of the plant , such as their growth riding habit , flower shape , and leaf texture , one can well differentiate between foxglove and borage . It is always better to err on the side of caution and seek expert advice if there is any uncertainness about works identification .
Caroline Bates
