| Photo Information |
Copyright: JULIAN BERNAL (JulianJose)
![Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 0 N: 31]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif) (126) |
| Genre: Plants |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-08-11 |
| Categories: Flowers |
| Exposure: f/5.0, 1/500 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-10-31 15:44 |
| Viewed: 743 |
| Points: 4 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Wikipedia:
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous biennials, perennials and shrubs in the foxglove family Scrophulariaceae. The members of this genus are known in English as foxgloves. They are native in Europe, northwest Africa and west and central Asia. The scientific name means "finger", and refers to the ease which a flower of Digitalis purpurea can be fitted over a human fingertip. "Foxglove" has a similar origin, seen as a suitable glove for a fox paw.
The flowers are produced on a tall spike, are tubular, and vary in colour with species, from purple to pink, white and yellow.
The best-known species is the Common foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. It is a biennial, often grown as an ornamental plant due to its violet flowers. The first year of growth produces only the long basal leaves, while in the second year the erect leafy stem 0.5-2.5m tall develops.
Medicinal use
The use of Digitalis purpurea extract containing cardiac glycosides for the treatment of heart conditions was first described by William Withering. In contemporary medicine, a purer form of digitalis is used to strengthen cardiac contractility and regulate heart rhythm. It is therefore often prescribed for patients in heart failure.
Digitalis purpurea, dedalera o digital, es una especie de planta herbácea bienal de la familia de las plantagináceas. Son nativas de Europa, el noroeste de África y Asia central y occidental. En estado silvestre se suele encontrar en terraplenes, linderos boscosos o entre peñascos en zonas montañosas.
La digital se desarrolla en un ciclo de dos años; en el primero, tras germinar, produce únicamente una roseta de hojas basales, ovales, dentadas y de largo peciolo, mientras que durante el segundo año se desarrolla un tallo largo (0,50 a 2,5 m) y cubierto de hojas sésiles y rugosas; todas las hojas de esta planta son ligeramente pubescentes, dentadas, simples y alternas, con el envés finamente texturado; se hacen más pequeñas hacia la cima del tallo.
La distintiva flor de la digital - cuya forma, similar a un dedal, dio lugar a su nombre- y sus hojas, contienen una poderosa toxina, la digitoxina, que afecta el funcionamiento cardíaco. Extremadamente venenosas si se consumen, el extracto del principio activo ha sido empleado como medicación para la arritmia y otras deficiencias cardíacas desde finales del siglo XVIII.
Una bellísima flor, eh amigos?
Julian |
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