Digitalis, commonly called foxgloves, is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennial plants, shrubs, and biennials. The term digitalis is also used for drug preparations that contain glycosides, particularly one called digoxin, extracted from various plants of this genus. What type of glycosides exist in Digitalis?
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Digitalis, commonly called foxgloves, is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennial plants, shrubs, and biennials. The term digitalis is also used for drug preparations that contain cardiac glycosides (steroidal glycosides), particularly one called digoxin, extracted from various plants of this genus.
Digitalis is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. The flowers are tubular in shape, produced on a tall spike, and vary in colour with species, from purple to pink, white, and yellow. The scientific name means "finger". The best-known species is the common foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. Foxglove has medicinal uses but is also very toxic to humans and other animals, and consumption can even lead to death.