Foxglove

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Foxglove

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to and widespread throughout most of Europe. It is known by a variety of other names including purple foxglove, lady's glove, and witch's gloves.

Pronunciation

Foxglove: /ˈfɒksˌɡlʌv/

Etymology

The term "foxglove" is derived from the Old English "foxes glofa" (the glove of the fox), possibly because the flowers look like the fingers of a glove. The scientific name Digitalis purpurea comes from the Latin "digitus" (finger), again referring to the shape of the flowers, and "purpurea" (purple), referring to the common color of the flowers.

Description

Foxglove is a biennial or short-lived perennial plant. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 10–35 cm long and 5–12 cm broad, and are covered with gray-white pubescent and glandular hairs. The flowers are produced on a tall spike, are tubular, 2–3 cm long, with a broad, two-lipped, outward-facing corolla.

Medical Uses

Foxglove is well-known for its toxic effects and its therapeutic use as a treatment for heart conditions. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, a group of naturally occurring compounds that have the ability to increase the output force of the heart and decrease its rate of contractions. The most notable of these compounds is digoxin, a medication used to treat various heart conditions, most notably heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

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