foxglove

Everyday

A foxglove is a tall garden and wild plant with many bell-shaped purple, pink or white flowers hanging down one side of its stem. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature walks: foxgloves grow in woods, hedges and gardens in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and parts of North America and Australia; bees climb right inside the flowers to collect nectar. Safety: every part of the foxglove is poisonous — never eat it, and wash your hands after touching. In history and science, a medicine for the heart (digitalis) was first made from foxgloves, showing that dose matters. Phrases: foxglove flowers, wild foxglove.

Examples

• Purple foxgloves grew along the woodland path. tree →
• Bees crawl inside foxglove flowers. tree →
• All parts of a foxglove are poisonous — never eat them. tree →
• Wash your hands after touching foxgloves. tree →
• A heart medicine was first made from foxgloves. tree →
• Foxgloves can grow taller than a child. tree →

Note

Countable: foxgloves. The name is a compound of fox + glove (the flowers look like little glove fingers); it has nothing to do with real foxes wearing gloves, though folk tales say so. Some children's books show fairies wearing foxglove hats.