~Faerie Flora~Foxglove Folkore!~
Foxgloves also know as Digitalis purpurea, dead mans bells, and witches gloves are a flower that is commonly assosciated with faeries.
In Ireland the name foxglove came about because it was said that faeries gave the flowers to the fox to wear on its paws like gloves giving it the magical ability to sneak up on poultry in complete silence.
In the Scottish borders, foxgloves leaves were strewn about babies' cradles for protection from bewitchement, while in Shropshire they were put into children's shoes for the same reason.
Picking foxglove flowers is said to be unlucky. Here in Devon and Cornwall, this is because it robs the faeries, elves, and pixies of a plant they particularly delight in.
Due to the presence of the cardiac glycosides, mostly digitoxin, foxglove leaves are poisonous to humans and may be fatal if ingested. All parts of the foxglove are toxic to animals and people. Even inhaling the pollen can cause some reactions to certain people. Touching their leaves can also leave a rash that can last for two to three weeks. The flowers, when ingested are fatal to the heart because of the chemicals in them.
Foxglove grows in woodlands and glades, they are native to Europe and Northwest Africa, but can be found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States as well.
Spiritually, these flowers mean confidence, achieving goals, pride in one's own abilities, bravery, creativity, and childlike wonder.
Ooh foxglove.... I love some deadly plants in my life