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Digitalis purpurea

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Digitalis

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Flowers are popular in florist trade

  • Toxin historically used to treat heart disease. Currently, a relative Digitalis lantana is used, and it's toxin is used in similar treatments, but is considered still very dangerous.

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind

Pollinators

Notes

  • All parts of the plant contain a toxin that inhibits electrical impulses leading to nerve/muscle inhibition and possibly death
  • Contact with any plant material, fresh or dried/dust, can result in irritation, rashes, and swelling

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 621 (1753)

Other References

Poisonous Plants of Paradise (Scott and Thomas) p.67-69

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Digitalis purpurea L. Papaloa, Kealakekua Ranch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Greenwell, A.B.H. 19516 (Degner) Hawaii BISH 10/1/1948
2 Digitalis purpurea L. Stainback Hwy, near Kulani Prison entrance PRESERVED_SPECIMEN James Parker BIED Hawaii PTBG 6/26/2019
3 Digitalis purpurea L. hilo garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN kami, r. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 10/21/1964
4 Digitalis purpurea L. papaloa, kealakekua ranch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN greenwell, a.b.h. collector number: 19516 (degner) Hawaii BISH 10/1/1948
5 Digitalis purpurea L. Hilo garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kami, R. Collector Number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 10/21/1964
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