Foxglove, also known as Digitalis purpurea, is a common wildflower that contains toxins that can be harmful if ingested. While the flowers are very beautiful, with bell-shaped blooms in shades of purple, pink, yellow, and white, foxglove should be handled with care. Here are some quick answers about the safety of touching foxgloves:
Is it safe to touch foxglove plants?
Foxgloves contain cardiac glycosides, which are toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, visual disturbances, and dangerously irregular heartbeats if ingested. However, simply touching the leaves or flowers is not dangerous. Skin contact with foxgloves poses little to no risk for most people. As with any plant, it’s a good idea to wash your hands after handling foxgloves.
What precautions should be taken with foxgloves?
Do not ingest any part of a foxglove plant. All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides. Do not let children or pets put foxglove flowers or leaves in their mouths. Wear gloves when handling foxglove plants to prevent skin irritation. Wash hands after touching. Remove and discard dead foxglove plants to prevent toxicity.
Can you get poisoned from smelling foxgloves?
Simply smelling foxgloves does not pose a toxicity risk. Poisoning occurs when foxglove is ingested. The toxins need to enter the digestive system to cause poisoning. However, like many flowers, foxgloves can potentially trigger allergies or asthma symptoms in some individuals.
Is it safe to have foxgloves in a garden?
Yes, it is generally safe to grow foxgloves in a garden as long as some basic precautions are followed:
– Label foxgloves clearly so visitors know not to ingest any part of the plant
– Wear gloves when handling and wash hands afterwards
– Remove foxgloves before seeds form to prevent self-sowing
– Cut off spent flower spikes to discourage ingestion
– Keep foxgloves away from areas frequented by children or pets
– Remove dead or dying plants promptly to prevent toxicity
So in summary, it is perfectly safe to touch and grow foxglove plants as long as you take care to avoid ingesting any part of the plant. The toxins in foxgloves pose very little risk from skin contact or smelling the flowers.
What are foxgloves?
Foxgloves are flowering perennial plants that are part of the Plantaginaceae family. They are native to Europe, but also grow wild in some parts of North America and Australia. Here are some key facts about foxgloves:
– The common name “foxglove” derives from the Anglo-Saxon word foxes-gleow, meaning “fox music.” This refers to the flowers resembling gloves or bells that were thought to be used by foxes.
– Foxgloves have tall spike-like racemes of tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, yellow, white, and red. The flowers bloom in late spring through early summer.
– Foxglove plants can grow up to 5 feet tall. The stems and leaves are covered in soft hairs.
– All parts of the foxglove plant contain cardiac glycosides, including the leaves, seeds, and flowers. The highest concentrations are found in the leaves.
– The entire plant is toxic if ingested, especially the seeds which contain the highest concentration of toxins. Even small doses can be fatal.
– Medicinally, foxgloves have long been used as a source for cardiac drugs to treat heart conditions like congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
– Foxglove is biennial, meaning the plant has a two year life cycle. The first year it grows only leaves, and the second year it flowers, sets seeds, then dies.
So in summary, foxgloves are attractive but potentially toxic wildflowers that have served medicinal purposes but should be handled carefully.
Where do foxgloves grow?
Foxgloves grow wild in a variety of environments, including:
Woodlands and forests
Foxgloves thrive in the semi-shade of woodland edges and clearings. The partial sun helps them flower prolifically. They are commonly found growing wild alongside paths and trails.
Fields and meadows
Foxgloves also grow well in open fields, pastures, roadside ditches, and disturbed ground. They can form large colonies here in full sun.
Coastal regions
Salt spray and wind along seashores and cliffs allows foxgloves to gain a foothold where they are not outcompeted by larger plants. Their tall blooms stand out along coastal bluffs.
Wetlands
Foxgloves tolerate damp conditions quite well. They can be found around streams, bogs, fens, marshes, and seasonally flooded areas.
Mountain habitats
In mountainous regions, foxgloves may be found up to elevations of 4,000 feet. Cooler temperatures at higher elevations can prolong their bloom time.
Gardens and landscapes
Foxgloves are popular ornamental plants. They have been bred to produce many color variations for the garden, but can easily escape into the wild.
So in general, foxgloves prefer partly shaded, moist habitats with acidic or neutral soil. However, they are adaptable plants that will thrive in a wide range of environments if their basic needs are met.
Why are foxgloves toxic?
Foxgloves are toxic due to naturally produced chemicals called cardiac glycosides that are part of the plant’s self-defense mechanisms. Here’s an overview of foxglove toxins:
– The toxins protect foxgloves from being eaten by herbivores like deer and rabbits.
– All parts of the foxglove plant contain the toxins, but they are most concentrated in the leaves. Seeds have smaller concentrations.
– The main cardiac glycosides in foxgloves are digoxin, digitoxin, and digitalin.
– These chemicals have a very narrow therapeutic index. At low doses they can help heart function but are toxic at slightly higher doses.
– Cardiac glycosides inhibit sodium/potassium ATPase, an enzyme that regulates heart contraction. This causes arrhythmias.
– Even a small amount of foxglove, around 20 leaves, can be fatal if ingested. Toxicity can occur from swallowing, absorption through mucous membranes, or skin contact if the skin is cut or scratched.
– Initial symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, tremors, fatigue, confusion, and abnormal heart rate/rhythm.
So in summary, foxgloves produce potent toxins as a defense mechanism that can be very dangerous at even small doses. The heart regulating effects of the chemicals make foxglove particularly toxic if ingested.
Foxglove toxicity symptoms
If any part of a foxglove plant is swallowed, symptoms of toxicity will begin to manifest. Here are the typical signs of foxglove poisoning:
– Nausea and vomiting – Occurs early on as the body tries to eliminate the toxin
– Diarrhea – Also results from the body attempting to remove ingested toxins
– Abdominal pain and cramping – Caused by intestinal irritation and muscle contractions
– Fatigue and weakness – The heart is affected, decreasing oxygen to the muscles
– Confusion – Insufficient oxygen to the brain leads to altered mental status
– Palpitations – Irregular heart beats are a hallmark symptom of foxglove toxicity
– Vision changes – May include blurred vision, halo effects, yellow tint
– Muscle tremors or twitching – Noticeable involuntary muscle movements
– Deadly heart dysrhythmias – Ventricular tachycardia is most concerning as it is often fatal
The time of onset of symptoms varies based on the dose ingested but can be as short as 30 minutes. Without treatment, foxglove poisoning progresses rapidly and can be fatal within just a few hours. Seek immediate emergency medical care if foxglove poisoning is suspected.
What to do if you ingest foxglove
If you suspect you’ve ingested any part of a foxglove plant, take the following steps right away:
1. Call 911 or emergency medical services. Foxglove poisoning can quickly become deadly without swift treatment.
2. If possible, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate advice while you wait for emergency help.
3. rinse out your mouth and drink a small amount of water to dilute any toxins. Avoid swallowing the rinse water.
4. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by Poison Control or a medical professional.
5. If vomiting occurs naturally, rinse out your mouth again and save a sample of the vomit for analysis.
6. Avoid drinking fluids or taking anything by mouth until evaluated by emergency medical staff.
7. Alert medical staff to the potential foxglove ingestion so they can provide appropriate cardiac monitoring and medication.
8. Remain calm until help arrives. Anxiety and stress will quicken your heart rate and could worsen the effects of the toxins.
With rapid appropriate treatment, the chances of survival are good. But swift action is critical when foxglove poisoning is suspected.
Is it safe to eat foxgloves?
No, foxgloves are not safe to eat. In fact, consuming any part of a foxglove plant in any quantity can be extremely dangerous and even fatal due to the cardiac glycosides contained in the tissues. Foxglove poisoning has occurred from eating as few as 5-8 leaves, though the exact toxic dose varies by the age and size of the person along with other factors. Cooking the plant does not neutralize the toxins. There is no safe culinary use for any part of the foxglove plant. Even small taste tests are risky and should be avoided.
Can you eat honey made from foxgloves?
No, foxglove honey should never be consumed. Bees can collect nectar and pollen from digitalis flowers to produce foxglove honey. However, this honey may contain significant levels of foxglove toxins. There are reported cases of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hypertension, and other concerning symptoms in individuals who consumed foxglove honey. Honey made from the nectar of foxgloves is unsafe for human consumption.
Is foxglove poisonous to pets?
Yes, foxgloves are considered moderately to very toxic to both cats and dogs. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, seeds, flowers, and stems, can be dangerous. Pets may nibble on foxgloves out of curiosity or boredom. Eating even small amounts puts pets at risk of life-threatening cardiac issues. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, collapse, and abnormal heart rhythm may develop within an hour of ingestion. Prevent pets from accessing foxgloves and be vigilant about removing any fallen pieces before pets can eat them. Seek veterinary help immediately if poisoning is suspected.
Is it safe to have foxgloves around children?
Foxgloves should always be kept out of reach from small children and toddlers who might try to put plant parts in their mouths. Simply touching foxgloves does not pose much risk for older children as the toxins are not readily absorbed through intact skin. However, ingesting even a small amount of leaves or flowers can be extremely dangerous for little ones. Tragically, foxglove poisoning has resulted in the deaths of young children who picked and ate the flowers. Closely supervise young children around foxgloves and teach older kids not to touch or eat any part of the plant.
Are there non-toxic varieties of foxglove?
There are no known non-toxic varieties of foxglove plants. All common foxglove species and hybrids contain varying amounts of cardiac glycosides. However, there are some ornamental plants called “false foxgloves” that are non-toxic. These belong to other plant genera but have flowers that look similar to foxgloves, though usually smaller. Examples include mullein (Verbascum) and woolly mullein (Verbascum thapsus) which are safe alternatives for gardens. But true foxgloves with the Digitalis name should always be assumed toxic.
Can you touch foxgloves if you are pregnant?
There is minimal risk to touching foxglove plants while pregnant as the toxins are not easily absorbed through the skin. However, pregnant women are advised to wear gloves as a precaution when handling foxgloves to prevent accidentally ingesting any plant material. Pregnant women should take extra care to wash their hands after touching foxgloves, and avoid cutting or harvesting the plants. Accidentally swallowing even a small amount could potentially pose a higher risk during pregnancy. Of course, consuming foxgloves is very dangerous and should always be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Are dried or dead foxgloves still poisonous?
Yes, dried and dead foxglove plants actually pose an even higher poisoning risk. When foxgloves die back at the end of their growing season, the concentration of toxins in the leaves, seeds and stems reaches very high levels. Dried foxglove material maintains its toxicity for years. Mulching or composting dead foxgloves can spread toxins. Always wear gloves when removing dead foxgloves. Bag the plant waste securely before disposal so it can not accidentally be ingested by children, pets or wildlife. Do not keep dried foxgloves inside the home as their toxins can irritate the lungs if inhaled.
Conclusion
While foxglove plants are very beautiful thanks to their showy, bell-like flowers, they can also be quite dangerous due to the cardiac glycosides produced within their tissues. Handling foxgloves requires caution – make sure to wear gloves and wash hands after touching them. Never intentionally ingest foxgloves, as the toxins they contain can cause serious effects on heart rhythm and even be fatal. Keep foxgloves away from areas frequented by children and pets. Seek immediate medical treatment if you suspect foxglove poisoning. While their risks require care, foxgloves can be safely admired in the garden when proper precautions are taken.