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purple foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

The purple foxglove is a tall, beautiful flower that can grow up to six feet high! Its lovely purple blooms attract bees and butterflies, making gardens colorful and lively.

Habitat: Woodlands

Appearance

The purple foxglove has tall, striking spires of bell-shaped, deep purple flowers, often with dark spots and white edges inside. Its distinctive, drooping blossoms grow densely on one side of the stem, making it stand out from other wildflowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusDigitalis
purple foxglove
bell_shaped_flower trait badgeflowering trait badgebiennial trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
purple foxglove

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Wow! Its tall flower stalk can grow up to a grown-up's height in just one summer!

Wow! Old stories say fairies used its bell flowers as tiny gloves!

Wow! Only big fuzzy bees, like bumblebees, can fit inside its special flowers!

Wow! The plant helps doctors make important medicine for people's hearts!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Guides

Purple foxglove has speckled patterns inside its flowers that guide buzzing bees directly to its sweet nectar.

Ability

Potent Protector

Purple foxglove produces powerful chemicals, called cardiac glycosides, that protect it from hungry animals.

Ability

Seed Shower

Purple foxglove can produce thousands of tiny, dust-like seeds, helping it spread far and wide.

Measurements & details

Height
60-180 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
4-6 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to mid-summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Deadly
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

collects nectar and pollen from flowers.

pollinates

European honeybee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar from its tubular flowers.

depends on

Human

Homo sapiens

uses its compounds for heart medication.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Don't touch the flowers or leaves, as they can be harmful if eaten.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is purple foxglove?

60-180 cm

How wide does purple foxglove spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on purple foxglove?

4-6 cm

When does purple foxglove bloom?

Late spring to mid-summer

Is purple foxglove edible?

No

Is purple foxglove toxic?

Deadly

What is purple foxglove's lifecycle?

Biennial

How is purple foxglove pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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