The common name of digitalis purpurea is common foxglove. Illustrated is the juvenile or foliage stage used as an edging. The flowers are large, two inches long, and range from purple and more or less spotted.

Digitalis Purpurea

The common name of digitalis purpurea is common foxglove. Illustrated is the juvenile or foliage stage…

Foxglove is the common name of digitalis purpurea. It is native from Great Britain, west and central Europe, to Scandinavia. The flowers are purple and spotted.

Digitalis Purpurea

Foxglove is the common name of digitalis purpurea. It is native from Great Britain, west and central…

An illustration of: 1, Coralla cut open showing the four stamens; 2, Unripe fruit (lengthwise); 3, ripe capsule split open; and the foxglove plant. Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials that are commonly called foxgloves. The genus was traditionally placed in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae, but upon review of phylogenetic research, it has now been placed in the much enlarged family Plantaginaceae. The genus is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa. The scientific name means "finger-like" and refers to the ease with which a flower of Digitalis purpurea can be fitted over a human fingertip. The flowers are produced on a tall spike, are tubular, and vary in colour with species, from purple to pink, white, and yellow. The best-known species is the Common Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. It is a biennial, often grown as an ornamental plant due to its showy flowers, that range in colour from purples through to whites, with variable marks and spotting. The first year of growth produces only the long, basal leaves. In the second year, the erect leafy stem 0.5-2.5 m tall develops.

Foxglove

An illustration of: 1, Coralla cut open showing the four stamens; 2, Unripe fruit (lengthwise); 3, ripe…

The ringent and spurred corolla of the foxglove or Linaria.

Foxglove Corolla

The ringent and spurred corolla of the foxglove or Linaria.

A biennial herb native to Europe. Its leaves and flowers are poisonous to humans and some animals.

Purple Foxglove

A biennial herb native to Europe. Its leaves and flowers are poisonous to humans and some animals.