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Magnoliopsida
Digitalis purpurea L.
EOL Text
Localidad del tipo:
Depositario del tipo:
Recolector del tipo:
Bosques muy húmedos, robledales, márgenes de páramos.
The foxglove is a biennial plant, but more rarely occurs as a perennial. The flowers are present from June to September (5) and are pollinated by bumble-bees (2). Plants produce prolific amounts of seed, and have a persistent seed bank; features which help to maintain the range of this species (3). Although toxic, the foxglove has been widely used in folk medicine as a cure for sore throats, as compresses for bruising and ulcers, and as a diuretic; it was, however, often fatal. The 18th Century Scottish physician William Withering made the first scientific investigation into the use of the plant. This study marked the development of modern pharmacology, and its move away from herbal medicine. He discovered that the plant contained a powerful cardio-active agent, which slowed and strengthened the heart rate, and stimulated the kidneys to clear excess fluid from the body (4). The therapeutic dose was however, very close to a lethal dose, and Withering recommended the use of repeated very small, carefully measured amounts until a therapeutic effect was attained (6). The active agents in foxglove, known as digitoxin and digoxin are still used in modern medicine to control heart rate (4). During the Second World War, foxglove leaves were collected by County Herb Committees, in order to make these drugs (4).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/foxglove/digitalis-purpurea/ |
This species thrives in acidic soils in a range of habitats including open woods, woodland clearings, on moorland and heath margins, hedge banks, sea-cliffs, waste land, rocky mountain slopes and hedgebanks. It is common in disturbed sites, or on burnt ground (3).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/foxglove/digitalis-purpurea/ |
The foxglove is a familiar tall herb that produces 20-80 nodding flowers on a long spike, known as a raceme (2). The tube-like flowers are pinkish-purple in colour, with an area of white inside the tube, which features darker purple spots and a few hairs. More rarely, white flowers may appear (2). The greyish stem is woolly, and the green, oval or lance-shaped leaves have downy upper surfaces, but are woolly below (2). The common name derives from the Anglo-Saxon 'foxes glofa' meaning foxes gloves, and refers to the tubular flowers, which are suggestive of the gloves of a small animal. The flowers were also known as 'witches' thimbles' by Medieval herbalists (4).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/foxglove/digitalis-purpurea/ |
Native to Europe but sometimes naturalized in disturbed areas; low elevations. Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang [Europe].
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200020644 |
Usually biennial herb to c.1 m. Stems simple, erect. Leaves with a winged petiole. Flowers numerous, arranged in a raceme, pendent. Corolla 4-5 cm, usually pinkish-purple with deeper purple spots on a white background inside the lower part of the tube. Capsule ovoid.
Foodplant / spot causer
few, immersed pycnidium of Ascochyta coelomycetous anamorph of Ascochyta moelleriana causes spots on live leaf of Digitalis purpurea
Foodplant / parasite
acervulus of Colletotrichum coelomycetous anamorph of Colletotrichum fuscum parasitises live, evenutally yellowish then brown leaf (esp basal) of Digitalis purpurea
Remarks: season: 10-11
Plant / associate
nymph of Dicyphus pallicornis is associated with live Digitalis purpurea
Remarks: season: 6,8-9
Foodplant / saprobe
fruitbody of Erythricium laetum is saprobic on dead stem of Digitalis purpurea
Foodplant / feeds on
larva of Napomyza scrophulariae feeds on Digitalis purpurea
Other: major host/prey
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / parasite
sporangium of Peronospora digitalis parasitises live Digitalis purpurea
Foodplant / saprobe
erumpent pycnidium of Phomopsis coelomycetous anamorph of Phomopsis digitalis is saprobic on dead stem of Digitalis purpurea
Remarks: season: 3
Foodplant / spot causer
pycnidium of Phyllosticta coelomycetous anamorph of Phyllosticta digitalis causes spots on leaf of Digitalis purpurea
Remarks: season: 8
Foodplant / saprobe
apothecium of Pyrenopeziza digitalina is saprobic on dead stem (near base) of Digitalis purpurea
Remarks: season: 4-7
Foodplant / spot causer
colony of Ramularia anamorph of Ramularia variabilis causes spots on live leaf of Digitalis purpurea
Foodplant / spot causer
minute, scattered pycnidium of Septoria coelomycetous anamorph of Septoria digitalis causes spots on dying stem of Digitalis purpurea
Remarks: season: 7
purpurea: purple
Rare as an escape