Digitalis purpurea 

'Common Foxglove'

[Ex. Teesdale, 310m., England]

Scrophulariaceae: hardy biennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in), Purple flowers are borne in tall spikes from June to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October, found growing manly on acid soils in woods, heaths, mountain grasslands, native range are Western Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Spain and Sardinia.

USES:

Foxgloves contain cardioactive glycosides, which vary from species to species, and according to weather and site, in pharmaceutical terms, ‘digitalis’ refers to the powered leaf of Digitalis purpurea; it is used in the form of tablets or capsules for certain conditions, Digitalin is a standardized mixture of glycosides from Digitalis purpurea, formerly used as a solution for injection. Parts used are the leaves, these are very bitter, diuretic and are used to strengthen heart contractions.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds early spring in a cold frame or greenhouse, seeds usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°C, when they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer, if you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring or autumn.

HARVESTED: 2019

APPROX. 1000+ SEEDS