Digitalis purpurea L.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a short-lived, biennial or perennial herb that is native to Europe. It was introduced to New Zealand as a garden ornamental and medicinal plant and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1867. The plant grows up to about 2 metres tall and forms a basal rosette of large, softly hairy leaves before producing an upright flowering stem. It flowers from November to February, producing a long spike of tubular purple, pink or white flowers with spotted throats, which develop into capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. It tolerates frost, moderate shade and a range of soil types. It reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water and human activities. All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten.
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