Digitalis
Digitalis, commonly known as foxglove, is a striking perennial plant famous for its bell-shaped flowers. While aesthetically beautiful, it contains powerful cardiac glycosides. Historically significant in medicine, it is used to treat heart failure, yet requires extreme caution due to its high toxicity if ingested incorrectly or in excess.
- Scientific name: Digitalis
- Family: Plantaginaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and family Plantaginaeceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Digitalis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Plantaginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Digitalis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Digitalis, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is most frequently referred to as foxglove, a name that highlights its distinctive bell-shaped flowers. When translated into other languages, its identity remains consistent through local terms such as dedaleira in Portuguese, dedale in French, and digitale in German.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in Denmark and Great Britain. It can also be found growing within the landscapes of Ireland and Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species is distributed through Middle Europe. Specifically, its habitat extends into the mountainous and lowland regions of Austria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as foxglove, is a potent medicinal herb where the most significant components are its leaves. While the plant can produce small seeds for reproduction, it is the foliage that contains the vital cardiac glycosides required for pharmaceutical use. In clinical and traditional preparations, the leaves are typically harvested and processed into dried leaves to ensure stability and standardized potency, as fresh material can be unpredictably toxic.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Digitalis has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include digoxin, digitoxin, beta-D-glucoside, beta-D-glucosides, bufalin.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| digoxin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| digitoxin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-D-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-D-glucosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bufalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiotonic steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| digitalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| digitoxose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ouabain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Digitalis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiadrenergic, Cardiotonic, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiadrenergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiotonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Digitalis has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include congestive heart failure, heart failure, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| congestive heart failure | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| heart failure | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| myocardial infarction | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| atrial fibrillation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coronary artery disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HSV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atrial flutter | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiotonic agent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic renal insufficiency | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |