Foxglove
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| Purple Foxglove close up |
Foxgloves are species of flowering plants belonging to the taxonomic genus Digitalis. It is grown mostly in the summer time, varying on the weather conditions. It can grow up to 2 to 5 feet in height and 1 to 2 inches in width. They are planted everywhere from grounds to gardens. They require moist soil, which means lots of watering for Foxgloves owners. [1] There are many different colors of Foxglove flowers, which makes it beautiful to see when it grows. The flowers can come in white, yellow, pink, rose, red, lavender, and purple. The color of the flowers also varies on the size of Foxglove. Inside the flower there are brownish spots in it. When the Foxgloves fully grow in the summer it requires lots of sun but they best survive in a shaded area during lots of sunlight. It can be found anywhere during the summer time, it is planted everywhere. It is truly a beautiful plant to see. [2]
Anatomy
The Foxglove comes in lots of different colors, but most of them are purple and white. It blooms mostly in the summer season depending on the weather conditions. The plant is very thin and is 2 to 5 inches in length, and 1 to 2 inches wide. Foxglove has rosetta like leaves, this is classified herbaceous and perennials plant. [3]
An interesting trait of the Foxglove has is that the blossoms will brighten and have a gloomy spot in the plant that you can see. The flowers on the Foxglove have lots of different types of colors like white, pink, red, lavender, and purple. With the colors of Foxglove flowers you can tell how large the Foxglove plant is going to be. For example the yellow Foxgloves are smaller, they mostly grow 2 to 3 feet tall. But the red flower foxgloves can grow up to six-feet tall. Inside the flowers of the Foxgloves are brown spots that you can see. Foxglove grows 2 years after you plant the seed of the plant. [4]
Reproduction
Foxglove grow each year by planting a seed in autumn or spring. The seeds should be planted at least 50 cm apart, and where the sun shines the most. It is better if is not in direct sunlight but partially shaded, where they survive. The Foxglove favors growing in really rich soil, which are rich and moist. The pH of the soil is from 6 to 7.5. Most Digitalis plants like the Foxglove take 2 to 3 weeks to germinate in the conditions of 15 to 18 degrees of temperature.[5]
Ecology
Foxglove plants grow best in areas of Zones 4 to 10 areas of the world, not including Florida and in the Gulf Coast. In really hot and dry areas they need full shades around them to survive well. In regular climate and temperature they need light shade for them to grow and survive well. They grow very well in moist soil. When planting Foxgloves, the seeds should be 15 to 18 inches apart. To avoid overcrowding after the Foxgloves have grown divide the clumps of the plants 3 to 4 years after you have planted it. The Foxgloves seed grows around summer time but planted early spring, or depending on the weather conditions. Foxglove self-seed themselves, which makes them a really good naturalizing plant. [6]
When Foxgloves are grown in a garden you have to water it in a regular basis and consistently to maintain a moist soil. At the end of plant season the Foxglove should be cut back to ground. You should replace a Foxglove plant every 2 to 3 years to have a nice looking Foxgloves and maintain beautiful and healthy plants in your garden. [7]
Toxicity
The Foxglove is a digitalis plant which some believe have dangerous and deadly chemicals like cardiac and steroidal glycosides, which can kill a human being. They say the Foxgloves entire plant is deadly and dangerous, which means even if you put it anywhere near or in you mouth, any part of the plant including the root and stem it can cause death. Symptoms of this toxic plant when you put it in your mouth is really bad headaches, vomiting, nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. When the symptoms worsen it causes the pulse to slow down and heart block. The plant is not just harmful to humans, also deadly to animals like dogs and cats if they eat it or lick it. Examples of accidents that happens with kids is when they drink the water in a vase that had a digitalis plant in it like the Foxglove. [8]
Uses in Medicine
The Foxglove plant is also used for medical purposes to help people with heart conditions. The Digitalis which contains cardiac glycosides, is the reason for this plant to help with dangerous heart conditions. It is used to increase the cardiac and will help to control the heart rate to make you healthier. This method of medical purposes is mostly given to patients who have heart failures by doctors. The Digitalis plant is also used for herbal purposes to treat epilepsy and other problems or disorders. Having too much Digitalis can have symptoms of vomiting, anorexia, nausea, and diarrhea. Digitalis plants include sodium-potassium ATPase, which will increase the concentration of sodium, results in decrease of the sodium-calcium exchanger. This will give a positive inotropic effect, this will help people with slow heart rates and heart rates during exercises. [9]
Gallery
Purple Foxglove Subtaxa:Digitalis L.
White Foxglove Subtaxa:Digitalis L.
Annual Foxglove
Subtaxa:Digitalis L.
Foxglove
Subtaxa:Digitalis L.
References
- Digitalis L. Multiple Authors. Multiple Publishers. 2009
- Digitalis Multiple Authors. Multiple Publishers. 5/18/09
- Foxglove Plants David Beaulieu. About.com. 2009
- Foxglove(Digitalis) Multiple Authors. Hillclimb media. 1997-2009
- Guide to growing garden plants - Digitalis (Foxglove) Multiple Authors. Plant Biology. 2005-2009
