Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Prescription only medicine: digoxin

Phytochemistry

Active princile: all parts: several cardenolides (purpurea glycoside, lanatoside, digitoxin, digoxin).
Wink, M. (2009). Mode of Action and toxicology of plant toxins and poisonous plants. Mitt. Julius Kuhn-Inst. 421:93-111.

Toxicity

Class 1a. Extremely hazardous: cardiac glycosides inhibit Na+,K+-ATPase, typical cardiac glycoside intoxication, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, severe headache, irregular heartbeat and pulse, convulsions, CNS disturbance, cardiac arrest, sudden death.
Wink, M. (2009). Mode of Action and toxicology of plant toxins and poisonous plants. Mitt. Julius Kuhn-Inst. 421:93-111. page 99

Toxic due to cardiac glycosides that may derange cardiac rhythm and gastro-intestinal upsets.
Professor Anthony Dayan, 2022

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Belgium
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Czech Republic
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Germany
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Denmark
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Finland
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Great Britain
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Ireland
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Norway
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Sweden
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Digitalis purpurea L. f. albiflora

Family: PLANTAGINACEAE
Genus: Digitalis
Species: purpurea L.
Form: albiflora
Common names: White Foxglove
Distribution summary: North Africa, Europe
Habit: Biennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Woodlands
Garden status: Not currently grown
Flowering months: July
Reason for growing: Medicinal, toxic, prescription only medicine


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