Big-flowered Foxglove Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,839 found this helpful

Digitalis grandiflora Mill.

All parts of the plant are toxic, and toxins are not inactivated by drying, storage, or cooking.

Cardiac glycosides in the plant cause severe heart rhythm abnormalities, potentially leading to fatal cardiac arrest.

It is easily confused with other Digitalis species that carry identical severe toxicity risks.

FAQ

Is Big-flowered Foxglove toxic to Humans?

Vomiting, bloody watery diarrhea, dyspnea, drowsiness, initial bradycardia, later loud heart sounds, cardiac arrhythmias, unsteadiness, tremor, convulsions, eventual death from cardiac arrest (Severe)

Is Big-flowered Foxglove toxic to Cats?

Expected to produce consistent gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, slow/irregular heartbeat, disorientation, and potential fatal cardiac arrest even with small ingestions (Severe)

Is Big-flowered Foxglove toxic to Dogs?

Is Big-flowered Foxglove toxic to Horses?

Expected to produce consistent gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms including colic, diarrhea, slow/irregular heartbeat, weakness, and potential fatal cardiac arrest even with small ingestions (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

Vomiting, bloody watery diarrhea, dyspnea, drowsiness, initial bradycardia, later loud heart sounds, cardiac arrhythmias, unsteadiness, tremor, convulsions, eventual death from cardiac arrest

Cats

Severe

Dogs

Severe

Horses

Severe

Expected to produce consistent gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms including colic, diarrhea, slow/irregular heartbeat, weakness, and potential fatal cardiac arrest even with small ingestions

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll parts of the plant

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary high-risk exposure route; skin contact with plant sap may cause mild localized irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsHeart-active primary glycosides (Purpureaglycoside A, Purpureaglycoside B, etc.); Secondary glycosides (Digitoxin, Gitoxin); Aglycones (Digitoxigenin, Gitoxigenin); Steroid saponins (Digitonin, Gitonin, etc.); Tannins; Flavone derivatives

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting immediately if ingestion occurred within 2 hours and the affected individual is conscious
• Administer activated charcoal to absorb unprocessed toxins in the gastrointestinal tract
• Keep the affected individual calm and completely still to avoid cardiovascular stress

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of any part of this plant, even in very small quantities
• Appearance of symptoms including vomiting, slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat, or disorientation after exposure
• Uncertainty about the identity of an ingested plant that resembles foxglove

Prevention

• Do not plant this species in areas accessible to children, pets, or grazing livestock
• Learn to identify Digitalis species to avoid confusion with edible wild plants
• Never consume any part of an unidentified wild plant with foxglove-like morphology

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform urgent gastrointestinal decontamination as soon as possible after exposure
• Administer atropine to treat bradycardia or bradycardic arrhythmias
• Provide continuous cardiac function monitoring and supportive symptomatic care
• Avoid administration of calcium supplements during treatment

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameDigitalis grandiflora Mill.

AliasesLarge yellow foxglove、Digitalis ambigua Murray、Grossblütiger Fingerhut (German)、Digitale à grandes fleurs (French)、Digitale gialla grande (Italian)

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

HeartGastrointestinal tractNervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Cardiac glycosides inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase in cardiac cells, altering electrical activity and causing life-threatening arrhythmias

• Irritant compounds trigger gastrointestinal inflammation leading to vomiting and diarrhea

• Neurological symptoms occur secondary to cardiac dysfunction and direct toxin activity on nerve cells

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Birds: Severe toxicity (+++), even small ingestions can lead to rapid death from cardiac arrest

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Common Foxglove Digitalis purpurea L.

All Digitalis species share very similar morphology and identical severe cardiac toxicity, making differentiation difficult for non-experts; no Digitalis species is safe for ingestion

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea L.

Severe

Woolly Foxglove

Digitalis lanata Ehrh.

Severe

Yellow Foxglove

Digitalis lutea L.

Moderate to Severe

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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