FOXGLOVES Meaning and
Definition
-
Foxgloves are a type of flowering plants belonging to the genus Digitalis, of the family Plantaginaceae. The term "foxgloves" is commonly used to refer to any plant species within this genus, primarily Digitalis purpurea. These plants are native to Western and Central Europe but have been widely naturalized in other areas of the world due to their ornamental value.
Foxgloves are herbaceous biennial plants or short-lived perennials that grow in moist and shady areas, such as woodlands, meadows, and gardens. They can reach a height of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) and produce a tall, slender spike-like inflorescence, covered in numerous tubular-shaped flowers. The flowers, arranged in a raceme or panicle, come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow.
The distinct pattern of the foxglove flower resembles a glove or finger of a glove, leading to the origin of its common name. These flowers are known for their beauty and are often cultivated in gardens for their decorative value. However, they are also highly toxic if ingested, containing cardiac glycosides that can cause severe poisoning in humans and animals. Despite this toxicity, the plant has been historically used in traditional medicine to extract compounds for heart medications, particularly for treating heart failure and irregular heartbeat.
In summary, foxgloves are striking flowering plants belonging to the Digitalis genus. They are characterized by their tall stature, tubular-shaped flowers, and toxic properties. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, they have been used medicinally, although caution is necessary due to their potential toxicity.
Common Misspellings for FOXGLOVES
- foxglive
- foxglovs
- foxglove
- doxgloves
- coxgloves
- voxgloves
- goxgloves
- toxgloves
- roxgloves
- fixgloves
- fkxgloves
- flxgloves
- fpxgloves
- f0xgloves
- f9xgloves
- fozgloves
- focgloves
- fodgloves
- fosgloves
- foxfloves
- foxglovess
Etymology of FOXGLOVES
The word "foxgloves" is derived from a combination of two words: "fox" and "gloves".
The term "fox" can be traced back to Old English where it originally referred to the animal known as a fox. In Middle English, the word evolved to also describe the color reddish-brown, resembling the fur of a fox. This association with the color likely led to the plant being called "foxgloves" due to the reddish or yellowish-brown hues of some of its flowers.
The term "gloves" comes from Old English "glōf", which referred to a covering for the hand. It is believed that the reason behind the addition of "gloves" to the name of the plant is due to the shape of its flowers. The individual blossoms of the foxglove plant somewhat resemble the shape of fingers or the glove-like coverings on hands.
Similar spelling word for FOXGLOVES
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
