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Foxgloves, a Murderous Beauty

11th July 2009

Miss Snowball, the local Murder She Wrote addict put her cup back on the saucer. She looked out the window onto the hustle and bustle of Nether Wipperton village. Her partner in tea drinking Mrs Chortlebury was still dabbing tears from her rosy cheeks. "But what could have been the murder weapon, the vicar was just cold out when I found him in the garden. The local police say he was poisoned, what brute would want to poison such a lovely old chap like the vicar." Miss Snowball sat bolt upright. "Poison you say Mrs Chortlebury, quick finish up, I need to inspect the garden of the vicarage."

Credit: Nick Pringle

A few minutes later they were on the gravel path at the vicars house, "It's such a nice garden isn't it, a quintessential English cottage garden." said Mrs Chorltebury as she inhaled the fragrant air. Miss Snowball nodded, "Yes, exactly" she slowly knelt onto the grass and pointed at bare stems of a Foxglove plant. "Just as I suspected Mrs Chortlebury, death by Digitalis Purpurea. Just as in days of old someone has poisoned the water source. The vicar was reported to have had nausea, vertigo, depression, anxiety, dryness of mouth, confused vision, coma, and convulsions, which led to his death. Someone has been cutting this foxglove and one way or another have made him ingest it, either in food or drink." Mrs Chortlebury looked shocked, "Oh my goodness, what have I done. I made some cordial out of the plant last week and gave it to him as a leaving present. I thougt it might taste nice." Miss Snowball gave Mrs Chortlebury an icy stare "Well, you've made him leave alright, what were you thinking. Look out and open your handbag. She yanked at the plant and took it out the border by it's roots and stuffed it into the bag and clasped it shut.

"Not a word to the police Mrs Chortlebury, you're much to nice to go down for manslaughter. I'm sure the vicar would forgive you for an honest mistake" With that they scuttled up the garden path and went to the Fox and Hounds for a swift G&T.

FOXGLOVE FACTS

* The Foxglove although a beautful addition to garden borders is in fact highly toxic. After touching the plant hands should be washed thoroughly, and ensure children and pets do not eat the leaves. All of the symptoms mentioned above can occur. However, still enjoy foxgloves in the garden, just don't eat them!

* Like many toxic plants it can have good medicinal properties, when used by expert scientists. The foxglove contiains digitalin, which is extracted and used for treating heart disease.

* The plant has been native in Britain since about the 15th Century and had many old tales and myths surrounding it, mostly concerning witches and fairies. It's name originates not from foxes but to folk, as they were said to be worn as gloves by fairie folk. folksgloves.

* The plant is great for wildlife gardens and can attract Frosted Orange, Heath Fritillary, Lesser Yellow Underwing butterflies and Foxglove Pug moths and is a super plant for bees.

* They can grow up to 6ft tall, and do well in light shade. It is a biennial or short lived perennial.