Foxglove

A biennial or perennial in the plantain family, native from Europe to Western Asia. In early summer, flower stalks 1–2 m tall bear large racemes of bell-shaped blooms in purple, pink, white, or yellow with speckled interiors. All parts contain the cardiac glycosides digitoxin and gitoxin — both highly toxic and medicinally valuable. A treatment for heart failure since the 19th century and still an important pharmaceutical.

Identification Points

• ✓1–2 m tall with long flower stalks
• ✓Bell-shaped flowers on a one-sided raceme with speckled throats
• ✓Large ovate leaves, forming a basal rosette

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionオオバコ科 →