Common Foxglove is a
native
biennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, water margins and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 150cm.
Foxglove grows as a single-stemmed spike from a basal rosette of stalked elongated leaves. Foxglove flowers vary across a range of colours from purple, lilac and mauve to pastel pink or white. An extract of the plant, Digitalin, is used to make medicines to regulate heart rate.
Botanic classification and naming: Common Foxglove is a member of the Plantain (Plantaginaceae) family. The genus name
'Digitalis' identifies the plant as a Foxglove and its species name 'purpurea' means 'purple'.
Concerns: All parts of the Common Foxglove are highly toxic, containing poisons affecting the heart.
Benefits: Foxgloves provide a summer food source for bees and other insects. Caterpillars of the Foxglove Pug moth feed on its flowers and those of the Frosted Orange moth feed on its stems.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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