What is the scientific genus of the common foxglove?

The scientific genus of the common foxglove is Digitalis.

The common foxglove is Digitalis purpurea, a biennial or short-lived perennial known for its tall spike of tubular, often purple flowers. The genus name comes from the Latin digitus, meaning “finger,” reflecting the flowers’ finger-like shape and the old idea that they could fit over a fingertip.

Digitalis contains cardiac glycosides, chemical compounds that affect heart contraction. William Withering’s eighteenth-century work on foxglove helped establish its medicinal importance, and related compounds later became important treatments for certain heart conditions. The plant itself is poisonous, so ornamental beauty should not be confused with safety.

Foxglove’s family placement has changed as botanical classification improved. It was once commonly associated with the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, but modern systems place Digitalis in Plantaginaceae. The genus includes roughly 20 species, not just the familiar purple foxglove.