Deadly Foxglove

Foxglove grows throughout the United States and typically blooms in the spring. Its bell-shaped flowers are usually purple but can also be cream yellow, white, pink, or rose. Each foxglove plant can produce 1 to 2 million seeds and was used in heart failure treatment in the 18th century. 

The “digitalis” part of foxglove’s botanical name, digitalis purpurea, is also the name of a heart medicine derived from this plant. Digitalis is used to help a weakened heart pump harder, so eating parts of the plant or sucking the flowers is basically taking an unregulated dose of heart medicine. After consuming the plant, symptoms for humans include an irregular or slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, nausea, headaches, blurred vision, hallucinations, a loss of appetite, and seeing halos around objects. The last 3 symptoms are commonly observed in people who have been poisoned over a long period of time. 





Sources: Foxglove: How to Plant and Grow Foxglove Flowers | The Old Farmer's Almanac, Foxglove poisoning Information | Mount Sinai - New York, Foxglove - Toxic to the Heart | Poison Control

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