Foxglove

Poisonous Poisonous Spring Spring Summer Summer

There are a few species of foxglove and these poisonous plants can be hard to identify until the flowers appear.

Hedgerow Type
Common Names Foxglove, Dead Mens Bells, Fairy Gloves, Lions Mouth, Witches Gloves
Scientific Name Digitalis sp
Season Start Mar
Season End Sep
Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.

Leaves

Lanceolate and looking a little like Green Alkanet or Comfrey leaves. In its first year the leaves grow as a rosette, in its second year it will send up a flower stem.

Flowers

Beautiful trumpet shaped flowers with speckled markings on the interior. They have been grown in many different colours, white, yellow, red, pink, lilac and deep purple. Deep purple is the most commonly found.

Seed Pods

Pear shaped seed pods running the length of the stem.

Habitat

Hedgerows, woodland edges, gardens, parks and waste ground.

Possible Confusion

Before coming into flower the leaves can look similar to that of Green Alkanet or Comfrey, pictured.

Frequency

Fairly common.

Medicinal Uses

Digitalin from Foxglove was used to treat heart conditions.

Other Facts

The entire plant is very toxic including the leaves, flowers, seeds and roots.

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