digitalis is a plant commonly known as what?
The botanical name for common foxglove is Digitalis purpurea. Foxglove was brought to the United States by European migrants centuries ago. The plant has tube-shaped, spotted, purple flowers and grows to about five feet tall, with many large, thick, hairy leaves at the base of a tall stem. The variety grown in gardens varies in color from white to a deep rose. Digitalis is one of the most well known medicines derived from a plant. Today scientists are searching in jungles and tropical rain forests for other plants that may contain substances to cure cancer, hepatitis, AIDS, and other serious diseases.