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| A solitary foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). This specimen was about 5 foot tall and added a blaze of colour to a shadied wood. The bell like flowers have encouraged many names including; Fairy caps, fairy gloves, fairy thimbles, and virgin's glove. However, its lethal poisonous effects are reflected in the names witch's glove, bloody fingers and deadmen's bells. An extract of the leaves is Digitoxin, a cardiac glycoside, or powerful heart stimulant taken for weak hearts. This can have side effects similar to the symptoms of the poison - nausea, dizziness, headache, heart slowing and bad vision. [If poisoning is suspected seek urgent medical attention] |
