Grecian foxglove
Digitalis lanata, family Plantaginaceae
A woolly-leaved foxglove of the Balkans, source of the heart drug digoxin
Grecian foxglove is a perennial or biennial plant from southeastern Europe, known for its hairy leaves and upright spikes of pale flowers. All parts are toxic, but its leaves are harvested for the heart medicine digoxin. It grows wild in the Balkans and Anatolia and has spread to parts of North America.
- Leaves are the main source of the heart drug digoxin
- Native to the Balkans and Anatolia
- All parts of the plant are poisonous
- Flowers are pale with brown or purple markings
- Grows as a rosette in the first year, flowers in the second
What does Grecian foxglove look like?
Grecian foxglove grows as a leafy rosette in its first year, then sends up a single, upright stem between 30 and 60 cm tall. The leaves are green, narrow, and covered in white hairs, giving them a woolly feel. Flower spikes are densely packed, with each flower shaped like a small bell. The blooms are pale yellow or whitish, marked with brown or purple lines inside. Both stems and flowers are also hairy. The plant produces small, angular seeds inside pointed capsules.
Where does Grecian foxglove come from?
This species is native to the Balkans and Anatolia, including countries like Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. It prefers sunny, warm places and can grow in a range of soils, from rich and moist to dry and rocky. Over time, it has spread beyond its original range, becoming naturalised in parts of North America and Canada. The name 'lanata' refers to its woolly leaves.
When and how Grecian foxglove blooms
Grecian foxglove spends its first year as a low rosette of leaves. In the second year, it grows a flowering stalk. It thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil but can tolerate drier conditions thanks to its drought resistance. The plant is usually grown from seed, and for medicinal use, leaves are harvested after two years, dried, and processed to extract cardiac glycosides.
How Grecian foxglove is used
The main use of Grecian foxglove is as a source of digoxin, a medicine for certain heart conditions. The leaves are processed to obtain this compound, which helps regulate heartbeat. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and it is not used for food or decoration. In research, another compound from the plant, digoxigenin, is used as a molecular marker in laboratories.
Kinds of Grecian foxglove
Digitalis lanata is one of several foxglove species, but is especially valued for its high content of cardiac glycosides. Other foxgloves, like Digitalis purpurea, are also used in medicine, but D. lanata is preferred for the production of digoxin. No major cultivated varieties are widely noted.
What Grecian foxglove means
Grecian foxglove is not linked to any particular symbolism or religious use. It is best known for its role in medicine, especially as the plant source for digoxin. Its toxicity means it is handled with care. In some regions, it is considered a weed or invasive species, and its spread is monitored.
Questions people ask about Grecian foxglove
Where does Grecian foxglove come from?
Grecian foxglove is native to southeastern Europe and Anatolia, including countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. It is found in sunny, open areas and has also become naturalised in parts of North America.
What does Grecian foxglove look like?
The plant forms a low rosette of woolly green leaves in its first year. In the second year, it grows a single upright stem with pale yellow or whitish bell-shaped flowers that have brown or purple markings inside.
Is Grecian foxglove poisonous?
Yes, all parts of Grecian foxglove are toxic to people and animals. Eating it can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and heart problems.
What is Grecian foxglove used for?
The leaves are harvested to extract digoxin, a medicine used to treat certain heart conditions. Another compound, digoxigenin, is used in laboratory research.
Does Grecian foxglove have any special meaning or symbolism?
It is not known for any particular symbolism or cultural meaning. Its main importance is as a source of heart medicine.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Digitalis lanataRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Digitalis lanata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Digitalis lanata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
Others in the family Plantaginaceae
The whole family
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea
Tall spikes of bell-shaped, spotted flowers in purple, pink, white or yellow
🇩🇪 Germany and 5 more · Wildflower
Mexican twistLophospermum erubescens
A pink and white climbing flower from Mexico, grown as a garden ornamental
🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Garden flower
ToadflaxLinaria
A group of nearly 200 flowering plants called toadflax, found mainly around the Mediterranean
Linaria · Wildflower
Rocky Mountain penstemonPenstemon strictus
A blue-flowered perennial from the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains
🇺🇸 United States · Wildflower
More from Albania
All the flowers of Albania
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum
A large flowering tree known for its white spring blooms and shiny brown conkers
🇦🇱 Albania and 7 more · Flowering tree
Strawberry-treeArbutus unedo
An evergreen Mediterranean tree with white bell flowers and red, strawberry-like fruit
🇮🇹 Italy and 7 more · Flowering tree
Common peonyPaeonia officinalis
A deep pink or red peony from the mountains of southern Europe
🇮🇹 Italy and 7 more · Wildflower
Poppy
Bright-petalled flowers grown for gardens, seeds, and remembrance
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 7 more · Wildflower