Foxglove Folknames

Witches' Thimbles choosing to grow 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 can be toxic if ingested in large quantities (don't!).  Dead Men's Bells, Witches' Thimbles and Bloody Fingers are just a few more names this tall, stalky fellow has attracted.  The scientific & Latin name for Foxglove is Digitalis.

Dead Men's Bells & a bee immune to its power

​​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.

Foxgloves

The Foxglove Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017, edited 2026