DIGITALIS
Yellow digitalis
Family : scrofulariaceae
Category : perennial
Height : 50 to 100 cm
Color : yellow
Flowering : June to August
Habitat : less than 1000 m
Protection : no
Toxicity : yes
Frequency : rare
DESCRIPTION
Flowers 2 to 2.5 cm long. Clusters shot on one side. Corolla glabrous tube outside, oval tops. Clusters of unilateral flowers, without brown vein on the inside. Stem erect, glabrous, with elongated leaves, serrated. The fruit of the digitalis is a capsule.
HISTORY
The symmetrical flowers of the digitalis, with petals welded into a bulbous or tubular corolla in the shape of a thimble, are at the origin of the popular names of the plant. Some rare subjects may sometimes present a different terminal flower, symmetrical, circular and widely open.
HABITAT
This species is quite common at high altitude in heathers, hillsides and rock gardens. Do not exceed 1000 m.
PARTICULARITIES
This flower is toxic: contains poisonous glycosides. Can be deadly !! All figitalis contain highly poisonous cardiotonic glycosides that are mostly present in the leaves. and that act on the cardiac activity. These effects of the digitalis play a very important role for modern medicine. The digitalis is also used to treat oedemas due to the accumulation of water in the body following a deficiency of cardiac activity. This particularity was already used by a Shropshire herbalist who was noticed in 1775 by the English doctor Withering.
THREAT
This flower is very toxic ! It can be deadly !
Foxglove
Family : Scrofulariaceae
Category : Perennial
Height : 50 to 200 cm
Color : purple
Flowering : June to September
Habitat : between 400 and 1400 m
Protection : no
Toxicity : yes
Frequency : frequent
DESCRIPTION
Its generally unique stem is downy,
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its floral clusters of corollas are turned on one side (towards the light).
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the corolla is composed of 5 welded petals. It is lined with white, bell-shaped dark pink color and dotted inside dark spots. The corollas are inclined towards the ground.
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it has 4 stamens and 2 stigmas.
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the ripe (fruit) capsules are oval and hairy.
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the leaves down the stem are large and oval or spear-shaped, with long petioles. They form at the base a large rosette which disappears in favor of leaves arranged alternately on the stem. The more we go back along the stem plus the leaves and their petiole diminish in size, to finish sessile at the top.
HISTORY
The symmetrical flowers of the digitalis, with petals welded into a bulbous or tubular corolla in the shape of a thimble, are at the origin of the popular names of the plant. Some rare subjects may sometimes present a different terminal flower, symmetrical, circular and widely open. In the 17th century, C. La Voisin and the Marquise de Brinvilliers were both imprisoned and executed for using, among other things, the foxglove in a somewhat imaginative way: venomous clothes, death ring, toxic candle ... It is only in 1868 that a Frenchman, Nativelle, succeeds in isolating, by crystallization, a substance extracted from the leaves of digitalis which will take the name of "digitaline".
HABITAT
The foxglove is a plant of Western Europe. It has established itself in the open woods, clearings and on the brushy slopes. This plant likes non-calcareous soils in alpine and subalpine regions. Occurs between 400 and 1400 m.
PARTICULARITIES
Aside from its highly appreciated ornamental character, its leaves are used in medicine as cardiotonic. It acts according to the rule of the 3 Rs: Reinforce, Regulate and Slow motion, it is this last effect that can cause death by stopping the heart in case of intoxication or wrong dosage. It is also used in veterinary medicine, especially for the horse. This flower is very toxic !! Recognized in the 16th century (L.Fuchs), it manifests itself as soon as very small amounts are absorbed (40 gr of fresh leaves can cause death). First appear digestive disorders (vomiting, diarrhea), behavioral disorders (drowsiness or agitation, mental confusion), visual disturbances (changes in colors, flickering, vision of colored halos in yellow), and finally serious heart problems that can cause death.
THREAT
This flower is very toxic ! It can be deadly !
Large-sized foxglove
Family : Scrofulariaceae
Category : Perennial
Height : 50 to 100 cm
Color : yellow
Flowering : June to September
Habitat : up to 2000 m
Protection : yes
Toxicity : yes
Frequency : frequent
DESCRIPTION
Herbaceous plant 50 to 100 cm high. Unbranched stem covered with long hairs on top. Leaves ovate-oblong up to 25 cm long arranged in rosettes at the base of the stem; higher up, they are alternate. At the end of the stem, numerous clustered yellow flowers, all directed towards the same side. A 5-lobed corolla, 3 to 4 cm long and widely spread, emerges from the hairy quinquelobed calyx.
HISTORY
The symmetrical flowers of the digitalis, with petals welded into a bulbous or tubular corolla in the shape of a thimble, are at the origin of the popular names of the plant. Some rare subjects may sometimes present a different terminal flower, symmetrical, circular and widely open.
HABITAT
Scattered in all Alpine regions; rock scree, alpine lawns, brush, forest edges; on soils rich in nutrients; up to 2000 m altitude.
PARTICULARITIES
It was used medicinally for its substances acting on the heart.
THREAT
This flower is protected, do not pick it ! Moreover, she is very toxic !