Foxglove Folknames

Witches' Thimbles ironically by a Witch Wood (Rowan) Tree in the Grove

Foxgloves are fairies' favourite folk flowers.  Gee - that's a bit of a tongue twister!  But never mind, there are so many other names to call this glorious woodland plant.  Fairy's Caps or Thimbles, Goblin's or Folk's Glove, the Gloves of our Lady.  Some of the names are sinister - which is not surprising since Foxgloves are very poisonous (this is where their Latin Name, Digitalis, becomes important!).  Dead Men's Bells, Witches' Thimbles and Bloody Fingers are a few more names this tall, stalky fellow has attracted. 

​There is definitely charm and enchantment in any garden, alley, roadway or path that is lucky enough to see this magical plant, since fairies always visit wherever it grows.

The Foxglove Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

Foxgloves

Dead Men's Bells

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017
​                                                                                                                                                                     (gif courtesy of animatedimages.org)