I have seen this in a front yard in the West End, about five years ago. Digitalis purpurea 'Campanulata'; I also see some web pages have it as Digitalis purpurea 'Monstrosa'. @Margot on these forums seems to have found it also called Digitalis peloria. The page at Digitalis purpurea - Wikipedia shows one photo at the bottom noted as Giant flower demonstrating pseudo-peloria I made this note on one of my photos: 'peloric flowers'[1] which botanically is the abnormal production of actinomorphic flowers in a species that usually produces zygomorphic flowers.[2] These flowers are spontaneous floral symmetry mutants. The term epanody is also applied to this phenomenonThat note comes from Pelorism - Wikipedia. Another forum thread has a link to a good article at Weird and wonderful foxgloves | Kew.
These Two Charming Flowers are on Gabriola Island. I will read the two recommended articles. Thank you. K.
Yes, there are a few of these plants growing in my back yard. And others around the neighborhood. The "Seek" app on my phone identifies it as Purple Foxglove. It comes with a warning. All parts of this plant are toxic and should not be grown if there's a chance children or pets will eat it or put any part of it in their mouths. Even if you simply touch it, it can cause a bad rash similar to Poison Ivy or Poison Sumac. Do not touch it. Enjoy its beauty from a distance.
"weird and wonderful Foxglove" is a informative article from Kiew. Lucky you to have them growing in your garden. Thank you for your note. Karen
Yes, it is poisonous; don't eat it. But just touching it is safe, it won't give you a rash in the way Poison-ivy can, or some other plants like Giant Hogweed, or Wild Parsnip, can.
This was such a delight to come upon as I had seen many, many Foxglove over the years...some change colours depending on what the bees have been having their way with and watching the bees crawl up the lovely blossoms to collect the nectar has been a serious joy in life for me. However, this particular variation on Foxglove is over the top wonderful and yes, don't eat it but enjoy and check out the site suggested earlier from Britain...Thank you all for your participation in this wonderful weird, Foxglove....K
