Foxglove by photosynthesis
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Description
Foxglove is the common name for Digitalis, which is a genus of plant with many different species. Extracts of digitalis were used for treating heart conditions at one time, but some species are very toxic. From Wikipedia:
"Depending on the species, the digitalis plant may contain several deadly physiological and chemically related cardiac and steroidal glycosides. Thus, the digitalis has earned several more sinister names: Dead Man’s Bells, and Witches’ Gloves.
The entire plant is toxic (including the roots and seeds), although the leaves of the upper stem are particularly potent, with just a nibble, being enough to potentially cause death.[citation needed] Early symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, wild hallucinations, delirium, and severe headache. Depending on the severity of the toxicosis the victim may later suffer irregular and slow pulse, tremors, various cerebral disturbances, especially of a visual nature (unusual colour visions with objects appearing yellowish to green, and blue halos around lights), convulsions, and deadly disturbances of the heart.
There have been instances of people confusing digitalis with the relatively harmless Symphytum (comfrey) plant (which is often brewed into a tea) with fatal consequences. Other fatal accidents involve children drinking the water in a vase containing digitalis plants. Drying does not reduce the toxicity of the plant. The plant is toxic to animals including all classes of livestock and poultry, as well as felines and canines."
Comments (6)
roguetographer
Beautiful image and example of our Pacific NW foxglove in bloom. And thanks for all the good info about digitalis. I had no idea that some species of it are so lethal.
auntietk
Fantastic! I love the crispness, the color, and the dof. Superb image!
dakotabluemoon
Beautiful capture of these flowers.
JohnDelaquiox
wonderful capture most interesting flow
tofi
I've always been fascinated with the foxglove species! So beautiful the way it grows.... Gorgeous colours, and you've captured the intricate beauty of them so well!
pat40
Lovely Flower.