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Foxglove
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Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameFoxglove
DescriptionMajestic biennial featuring tall, elegant spikes of tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, or yellow, typically with distinctive spotted throats. Flowers arranged in one-sided racemes create dramatic vertical accents in shade gardens. Source of digitalis, a crucial heart medication, but all parts highly toxic if ingested. Beloved cottage garden plant that self-seeds readily, attracting bumblebees with specialized pollination mechanism. Symbolizes both healing and danger.
FamilyPlantaginaceae
GenusDigitalis
TribeDigitalideae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ⚥ K(5) C(5) A4 G(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals forming tubular bell with 4 lobes (upper 2 fused), 4 stamens in 2 pairs (didynamous), 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Foxglove' possibly from 'folks' glove' (fairy folk) or flowers resembling glove fingers. 'Digitalis' from Latin 'digitus' (finger) for finger-like flowers. 'Purpurea' means purple. Folk names include 'Fairy Bells,' 'Witches Gloves,' 'Dead Men's Bells' (warning of toxicity). About 20 Digitalis species
  • Flowers 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long, tubular bells with 4-5 lobes. Colors include purple, pink, rose, white, yellow, and apricot, typically with spotted throats (nectar guides for bees). Arranged in tall, one-sided spikes 2-5 feet tall with 20-80 blooms per spike. Blooms late spring to midsummer (May-July)
  • Biennial (occasionally short-lived perennial). First year produces rosette of large, fuzzy leaves; second year sends up flowering spike, then dies after setting seed. Self-seeds prolifically for continuous presence. Flowers open sequentially from bottom to top of spike over 2-3 weeks
  • Grows 2-6 feet (60-180 cm) tall in bloom, dwarf varieties 2-3 feet. Basal rosette 12-18 inches across. Lifespan of 2 years (biennial). Propagated from seed (sow on surface in spring or fall, needs light to germinate, blooms second year). Self-sows readily
  • Native to western and southwestern Europe, particularly British Isles, western Mediterranean. Naturalized in North America, Australia, New Zealand. Found in woodland edges, hedgerows, disturbed areas, and mountainsides. Prefers cool, temperate climates
  • Prefers partial shade to full shade (tolerates sun in cool climates). Thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Water regularly; doesn't tolerate drought. Deadhead spent spikes to prolong blooming (though prevents self-seeding). Hardy zones 4-9
  • Source of digitalis (digitoxin, digoxin) for treating heart conditions since 1785. All parts extremely toxic—causes nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, death if ingested. Never consume. Wear gloves when handling. Attracts bumblebees (specialized pollinators). Deer and rabbit resistant (toxic). Excellent for shade gardens and woodland settings. Symbolizes insincerity and healing

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificDigitalis purpurea
English (Alternate)Fairy bells, Lady's glove, Witches gloves, Dead men's bells, Fairy fingers
Hindiफॉक्सग्लव (Fāksaglav), तिलपुष्पी (tilapushpee), हृतपत्री (hrtapatree)
Tamilநரிக்கையுறை (narikkaiyurai), கையுறை போன்ற செடி (kaiyurai pona sedi)
Teluguడిజిటాలిస్ (Digitalis), డిజిటాలిస్ పర్పురియా (Digitalis purpurea)
Malayalamതിലപുഷ്പം (thilapushpam), ഡിജിറ്റാലിസ് (digitalis)
Kannadaತಿಲಪುಷ್ಪಿ (Tilapushpi)
Sanskritहृतपत्री (hritpatri), तिलापुष्पि (tilapuspi)
Bengaliশেয়াল মোজা ফুল (Sheyal Moja Phul), ডিজিটালিস (Digitalis)
Frenchla digitale
Russianнаперстянка (napyerstyanka), дигиталис (digitals)
Spanishdedalera
GermanFingerhut

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.