Scientific Name:
Digitalis purpurea
Pronunciation:
didge-ih-TAL-is pur-PUR-ee-uh
Common Name:
foxglove
Family Name:
Plantaginaceae
Plant Type:
Biennial, Invasive plant
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal and then alternate on flowering stem, most blades ovate-lanceolate, 18-25(-30)cm long x 6-8(-10)cm wide, margin crenate, pubescent, petiole winged, 2-10cm long; flowers usually pink-purple (white and yellow cvs.), tubular, 3-5cm long x 2-4cm wide, on a one-sided raceme 60-120(-150)cm long, capsules form near the base while new flower buds may continue opening at tips, Jun-Aug.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract birds, Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Woodland margin (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Crenate
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Yellow, Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Removing capsules will prevent excessive self-seeding and allow the plant to flower more seasons
Pest Susceptibility:
(Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (FEA) Field lab Equipment Area
- (WDY) WeeDY location