Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Toxic

The spotted thimble that became digoxin — a poison-garden teaching plant, not a homegrown heart tonic.

Handle as a poison-garden specimen. See Safety before any use.

Foxglove is the botanical parent of digoxin and digitoxin. The therapeutic window is tiny; plant potency varies by leaf, weather, and year. Hospital digitalis exists because dose is measured. This plate is here so the plant is named and left in the border.

Flavor

Do not taste. Bitter cardiac glycosides.

Parts used

None for self-care. Pharmaceutical glycosides only.

In favor

Teaches why some garden plants became drugs

Against

Fatal arrhythmia at garden doses
Looks a little like comfrey to the uncareful