Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Méaracán dearg Foxglove is a tall biennial, occasionally a perennial. The flowers grow in a spike and are a pinkish purple, or occasionally white; they are tubular, and spotted inside. The leaves are oval, soft and downy. This rich-looking plant grows, and looks magnificent, on shady banks and at the edge of woods where the soil is acid. It is an effective garden plant for the shade and is cultivated in many forms. The name Digitalis comes from the Latin for ‘thimble’, from the shape of the flowers. The plant is poisonous. The drug Digitalin is made from the leaves and used to treat heart disease. In Ireland Foxglove was sometimes used as a remedy for weak hearts; this must have killed many. The flowers are out in late June, July and August. Other 'Late Summer' flowers include: Chamomile | Common Mallow | Grass of Parnassus | Greater Spearwort | Harebell | Herb Bennet | Lax-flowered Sea Lavender | Lesser Stitchwort | Meadow Cranesbill | Meadow Vetchling | Pink Butterwort

From the Appletree Press title:

Irish Wild Flowers - Deluxe Edition.

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