Death occurs when the muscles used in breathing become paralyzed. The tuberous roots may be mistaken for edible roots such as wild parsnip and wild artichoke. The toxicity of the plant is great and the active principle, cicutoxin, acts directly on the central nervous system. Symptoms appear from within 15 min. Excessive salivation is noted first, followed by spasmodic convulsions interspersed intermittently with periods of relaxation.
Abdominal pain is evident.
If vomiting is induced when the symptoms first appear, prognosis is good. Death may occur as quickly as 15 min. or not until after 8 hours. A native of Europe, this plant is widely cultivated in the U.S. as an ornamental. Foxglove has long been known and used as a source of the drug digitalis, a powerful cardiac stimulant. The active compounds are steroidal glycosides.