Foxglove (Digitalis)

Attention!

Foxglove is toxic. If any part of the plant is ingested, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.

Digitalis species (excluding sterile varieties, hybrids and cultivars)

Photo: Helen Tyzack

What is foxglove (Digitalis species)?

Digitalis is a genus of approximately 23 species of plants commonly known as foxglove.
They originate from Europe, the Mediterranean Region and Canary Islands.
Known for their attractive flowers, several species have been cultivated for use as garden plants, with many species and cultivars available in the ornamental trade.
Digitalis is also grown as sources of cardiac glycosides (cardenolides) for the pharmaceutical industry.

Warning – foxglove is toxic

Digitalis species contain several cardiac glycosides that are highly toxic and poisonous to humans; and that affect the heart muscle.
Symptoms of poisoning include heart irregularity, nausea, blurred vision, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness and diarrhoea.
Foxglove is also extremely toxic to animals (including livestock, particularly ruminants and horses, and chickens), though the bitter taste usually means animals avoid ingesting it. Contaminated hay or cut garden material fed to animals can be a source of poisoning.
Toxins can be absorbed through the skin. Anyone treating or handling foxglove should take measures to minimise direct and indirect physical contact, including ingestion through mouth and absorption through eyes and skin.
Toxicity is not lost or diminished by drying or boiling. Burning of plants may release chemicals that are harmful to people and animals.
If any part of the plant is ingested immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126

How to identify foxglove

Foxgloves are tall biennial or perennial herbs growing up to 2 m in height.
A single flower stalk covered in bell-shaped flowers 4-6 cm long with spots inside. Common foxglove (D. purpurea) has dark purple spots inside each flower.
The softly hairy leaves are oval shaped, 10-30 cm long with an acute tip and a tapered base to a winged stalk with the stem.
Flowers over spring and summer.

Closeup of a purple common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Common foxglove purple variant
Photo: Adam Muyt

Closeup of a white common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Common foxglove white variant
Photo: Adam Muyt

Foxglove in Tasmania

Common foxglove has been widely grown in Tasmanian gardens as an ornamental plant since the mid-nineteenth century and has subsequently become naturalised. It is recorded in locations across most parts of the State.
The plant produces numerous small seeds that are spread via wind and water and by movement of soil and garden waste.
It rapidly spreads into disturbed ground, neglected areas, poor pastures and wet forests and riparian areas.
Foxglove poses a threat to Tasmania’s high conservation values such as the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Foxglove is common in unimproved pasture and plantations in Tasmania.
Common foxglove is widely established in Tasmania and eradication of the species from anything, but limited areas of the State is not feasible.
Only common foxglove is recorded to have naturalised in Tasmania, however other species of Digitalis pose a similar threat of naturalisation and spread in the State. If you believe you have identified a different species of foxglove outside of a planted garden setting, please report it to Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.

Declaration under the Biosecurity Act 2019

All sexually reproductive species, sub-species, varieties, hybrids and cultivars of Digitalis species are declared pests under the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act) and the Biosecurity Regulations 2022.
The declaration does not include sterile varieties, hybrids and cultivars of Digitalis (refer to the list of sterile foxglove varieties below).
The importation, supply and sale, propagation, and release or spread of all declared Digitalis are prohibited dealings in Tasmania.

What is the legal status of foxglove in your area?

The Foxglove (Digitalis) Biosecurity Program (the Program) details requirements for the declaration of Digitalis species in Tasmania. Requirements for the control and management of foxglove are prescribed by designated areas or designated purposes.
Designated areas are categorised into two classes:

Class A designated areas: require actions to eradicate foxglove.
Class B designated areas: require actions to contain foxglove infestations.

An interactive map showing the designated areas for foxglove management in Tasmania is provided here or click on the map below.

Foxglove Designated Areas Interactive Map - click on the map to open

The growing or presence of declared Digitalis in garden settings outside of designated areas is not considered a prohibited dealing under the Program.

Foxglove incursion at Scottsdale
Photo: Adam Muyt

Control

For information on the management and control of foxglove, spread prevention and safety considerations when dealing with foxglove see Foxglove (Digitalis) Management and Control (PDF 96Kb)

More information

Stay up to date on Tasmanian biosecurity issues by subscribing to Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories.

Other references

Everist, S.L. (1974). Poisonous Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. (Human poisoning).
McBarron, E.J. (1976). Medicinal and Veterinary Aspects of Plant Poisons in New South Wales. Dept. Agriculture NSW. (Details toxicity pg.65, to pigs pg. 171, to dogs pg. 174, to turkeys pg.177).
Muenscher, W.C. (1951). Poisonous Plants of the United States. Macmillan Books, New York. (References Foxglove toxicity to stock, including horses and cattle).
Robbins, W.W. et al (1951). Weeds of California. Dept. Agriculture, State of California. (Reference to poisoning of horses).
Australian Animal Poisons Website – Foxglove Information. Highly Toxic Plants – Foxglove - Animal Poisons Helpline. (Includes reference to dogs, horses, ruminants, poultry, pigs).
Colorado State University – Guide to Poisonous Plants. Guide to Poisonous Plants – College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Colorado State University. (Reference to toxicity to horses, cattle, deer… ’all animals are susceptible’).
Cornell University Poisonous Plants website – Foxglove Information. Plants Poisonous to Livestock - Cornell University Department of Animal Science. (General reference to toxicity to animals, including humans).
Poultry Keep website (British Isles). List of Poisonous Plants for Chickens. (Reference to Foxglove being poisonous to poultry).

Sterile foxglove varieties

Group	Hybrid/variety name
Digitalis - "Polkadot"	Polkadot Polly
	Polkadot Princess
	Polkadot Pandora
	Polkadot Penny
	Polkadot Pippa
	Polkadot Petra (syn. ‘Leopard Skin’)
Knee High	Blush
	Hot Pink
	Cream
D. × mertonensis × D. lutea	Glory of Roundway
John Innes Tetra × D. laevigata	Digitalis “spice island”
D. obscura × D. grandiflora	Digitalis ‘Goldcrest’
D. dubia × D. purpurea
D. × fucata Foxy Series	Claire (‘Foxy Pink’); ‘Miranda’ (‘Foxy Apricot’); ‘Victoria’ (‘Foxy Purple’)
Digitalis	Digitalis "Lucas"
	Digitalis "Martina"
	Digitalis Pink Panther F1 Hybrid
Digiplexis (D. canariensis × D. purpurea)	(Digitalis x valinii)
Digiplexis	× Digiplexis 'Berry Canary'
Digiplexis ‘Illumination Series’	Illumination Flame; Harkstead Flame
	Illumination Raspberry
	Illumination Apricot; Harkstead Apricot
	Illumination Chelsea Gold; Harkstead Apricot
	Illumination Cherry Brandy
	Illumination Copper (syn. Tomdigcopper)

Contact

Invasive Species Branch

Phone: 03 6165 3777

Email: invasivespecies@nre.tas.gov.au