POISONOUS PLANTS

Digitalis purpurea Linn.

Submitted by : Hifza Begum

Digitalis purpurea L.

Synonyms: digitalis, foxglove, thimble, fairy’s finger, fairy’s glove, lady’s glove, Folk's Glove

The term Foxglove is derived from the shape of the flowers resembling finger of a glove. It was originally Folksglove - the glove of the 'good folk' or fairies, whose favorite haunts were supposed to be in places where the Foxglove delights to grow

Digitalis purpurea L.

Family: Scrophulariaceae- The Figwort Family

Habitat: Commonly found in UK and most regions of Europe including Italy. It is neutralized in North America

Digitalis purpureae L.

Description: The foxglove is a biennial or perennial herb. It forms rosette of leaves in first year and aerial stem in second year almost 1-1.5m in height. It readily grows from seeds. Commonly found in semi-shaded areas in wild region. If certain amount of manganese is present, flourish well in sandy areas

Basal rosette

Digitalis purpurea L.

Fruit: Bilocular capsule containing numerous seeds attached to axile placentae. The fruit may be equal or longer than calyx.

Flower: Flowers are bell-shaped exhibiting raceme inflorescence with floral formula K(5), C(5), A4 didynamous, G(2).They are purple to pink or white having eyespots on inner surface.

Cont..

Leaves: Basal leaves are in rosettes, lanceolate to ovate and long-petioled whereas stem leaves are alternate, simple and sessile. Lamina is decurrent at the base, apex subcuate. The margin is crenate or dentate and both upper and lower surfaces are hairy.

Leaf

Cont.…

Seeds: Seeds are brown, rectangular and are almost 1 mm long, with a network of ridges across the surface.

Toxic Principles

Toxic principles: Digitalis purpureae contain many cardio active or steroidal glycosides. The most powerful constituent is Digitoxin which is cumulative in action. Other physiologically active chemical constituents found in foxglove include digitonin, digitalin, antirhinic acid, digitalosmin, and digitoflavone.

Digitoxin

Digitalis purpureae Linn.

Poisonous Parts: Whole plant. The flowers contain the lowest concentration of toxins, yet their ingestion can still result in gastrointestinal effects.

Digitalis purpurea L.

Symptoms: In humans toxic reactions include gastric upset, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe headache, pulse and cardiac rhythm abnormalities, mental irregularities, drowsiness, tremors, convulsions, and death. In livestock symptoms are similar and include bloody stools, lack of appetite, and the urge to urinate

Digitalis purpurea Linn.

Treatment: If toxicity is due to a recent one-time exposure, treatment may involve activated charcoal or Gastric lavage. If condition persists, specific medications called digoxin-specific antibodies may be used in severe cases. Dialysis may be needed to reduce the levels of digitalis in the body.