foxglove

/foks"gluv'/, n.

any Eurasian plant belonging to the genus Digitalis, of the figwort family, esp. D. purpurea, having drooping, tubular, purple or white flowers on tall spikes, and leaves that are the source of digitalis in medicine.

[bef. 1000; ME foxes glove, OE foxes glofa. See FOX, GLOVE]

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Any of 20–30 species of herbaceous plants of the genus Digitalis, in the snapdragon family, especially D. purpurea, the common, or purple, foxglove.

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and the Canary Islands, foxgloves typically produce ovate to oblong leaves toward the lower part of the stem, which is capped by a tall, one-sided cluster of pendulous, bell-shaped, purple, yellow, or white flowers, often marked with spots within. D. purpurea is cultivated as the source of the heart-stimulating drug digitalis.

Foxglove (Digitalis)

Derek Fell

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▪ plant

 any of about 20 species of herbaceous plants of the genus Digitalis (family Scrophulariaceae, now in the segregate family Antirrhinaceae), especially D. purpurea, the common, or purple, foxglove, which is cultivated commercially as the source of the heart-stimulating drug digitalis. Foxgloves are native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and the Canary Islands, and they typically grow to a height of 45 to 150 cm (18 to 60 inches).

      The plants produce alternating, ovate to oblong leaves toward the lower part of the stem, which is capped by a tall, one-sided cluster of pendulous, bell-shaped flowers, each of which may be up to 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) long. The flowers may be purple, yellow, or white and are often marked with spots within. Most species are biennials, meaning they flower during their second year and then die after seeding.

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