116 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



and in a dark place may be seen to take fire. It flowers from 

 May to July ; three feet high ; from Germany. There is also 

 a variety of species with white flowers ; propagated by parting 

 the roots. 



DIGITALIS. 



Foxglove. 



Digitalis ; named, by Fuchs, from digitabulum, a thimble, 

 in allusion to the form of the flowers. 



The species are, for the most part, showy border flowers, of 

 easy culture. 



Digitalis purpurea, with purple flowers ; also a variety, D. 

 alba, with white flowers ; ornamental plants of great beauty, 

 producing dense spikes of flowers on stems, three, four, or five 

 feet high, in June and July, and straggling spikes most of the 

 season. It is a biennial, propagated by sowing the seed, which 

 flower the second year. The plant sometimes flowers the third 

 year. It may be perpetuated by dividing the roots every year, 

 and is sometimes called an imperfect perennial. 



The plant is a violent poison, but valuable in medicine. It 

 is suitable for the border, and may be introduced into the shrub- 

 bery with fine effect, as its tall, spire-like spikes, crowned with 

 its large thimble or bell-shaped purple or white flower, will 

 finely contrast with the green foliage of the shrubs. 



Digitalis ferruginea, or Iron-colored Foxglove ; a hardy per- 

 ennial, with brown flowers, from July to August; four feet 

 high. 



Digitalis lutea, or Small Yellow Foxglove ; a hardy peren- 

 nial, with light yellow flowers, from July to August ; two 

 feet high. 



Digitalis ochroleuca. Great Yellow Foxglove. A hardy 

 perennial, with large light yellow flowers, from July to Au- 

 gust ; four feet high. 



