Digitalis purpurea
Cardiac Glycoside
Classification
The Foxglove is a purple plant belonging to the genus Digitalis. This in turn
belongs to the order of Scrphulariacea. Current taxonomy acknowledges at least eleven species.
The main species are:
Digitalis dubia
Digitalis ferruginea
Digitalis graniflora
Digitalis laevigata
Digitalis lanata
Digitalis leucophae
Digitalis obscura
Digitalis parviflora
Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis thapsi
Digitalis purpurea
The purple foxglove, blooms only twice a year and rarely lasts throughout the year. It usually blooms
between July and September in its second year. Digitalis purpurea has three subspecies: purpurea, mariana,and hyewoodii. The foxglove plant is a plant of between three and 6 feet high, with
leaves varying in length of six and twelve inches. Its flowers are bell-like, purple, pale pink, or white. Furthermore, its
flowers are usually spotted red or yellow. It is pollinated by bees and is commonly found
in open spaces such as woods, and mountain rock. It has been found growing at heights up to 3000 feet. The foxglove prefers light, dry, acid soil.
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