I love foxglove, so pretty, and safe enough if you don’t go eating the leaves. Foxglove was a fave instrument of death in old mysteries; Christie used it more than once. Always a matter of foxglove being planted next to the sage in the kitchen garden, and being accidentally picked. I always used to wonder why anyone would have foxglove in their kitchen garden in the first place.
avalussays
I grew up with foxglove in my parents garden, among other deadly plants. It was rather good for learning the “look-don’t touch!” rule by heart.
Avalus, it was the same with me. I still remember getting the sternest lecture over the deadly nightshade, and it was still a temptation -- I swear, those are the most beautiful berries ever.
My mum once reasonably freaked out when she heard that we were cracking open all the fruit pits eating the nice, poisonous cores. Why, they were like soft almonds!
Nightjarsays
I know foxglove as a wildflower/weed, not as a garden plant, and interestingly enough I was taught to play with it as a kid but I don’t remember being taught about its toxicity. We would pick the flowers, close the opening tight with two fingers and make them pop like a balloon by pressing them against the other hand. I do remember sucking the nectar as well, which I guess isn’t a great idea, but I didn’t die.
Charly says
Digitalis purpurea. Deadly baeauty.
Caine says
I love foxglove, so pretty, and safe enough if you don’t go eating the leaves. Foxglove was a fave instrument of death in old mysteries; Christie used it more than once. Always a matter of foxglove being planted next to the sage in the kitchen garden, and being accidentally picked. I always used to wonder why anyone would have foxglove in their kitchen garden in the first place.
avalus says
I grew up with foxglove in my parents garden, among other deadly plants. It was rather good for learning the “look-don’t touch!” rule by heart.
Caine says
Avalus, it was the same with me. I still remember getting the sternest lecture over the deadly nightshade, and it was still a temptation -- I swear, those are the most beautiful berries ever.
Giliell, professional cynic -Ilk- says
My mum once reasonably freaked out when she heard that we were cracking open all the fruit pits eating the nice, poisonous cores. Why, they were like soft almonds!
Nightjar says
I know foxglove as a wildflower/weed, not as a garden plant, and interestingly enough I was taught to play with it as a kid but I don’t remember being taught about its toxicity. We would pick the flowers, close the opening tight with two fingers and make them pop like a balloon by pressing them against the other hand. I do remember sucking the nectar as well, which I guess isn’t a great idea, but I didn’t die.