Foxglove

Name: Foxglove

Scientific name: Digitalis purpurea

Category: Flowers

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: The charasmatic flower spikes are famous as reminders of summer and for their deadly poisonous nature. The high flower stems are only produced in the plant's second year and can be seen between June and September.

How to identify: Large, flat leaves form the base of the plant, with flower spikes reaching as high as a person. Look for tube-shaped pink flowers opening in sequence from the bottom up.

Where: Very common, grows all over the UK and Ireland.

Fantastic fact: The scientific name Digitalis means 'finger-like' and refers to the ease with which the flower head can be slipped onto a finger.

Photograph credit: Philip Precey