Heres an interesting explanation for foxgloves common name from Morgan Botanicals. Digitalis is the scientific name for this beautiful ornamental, which often spreads in the garden and wild (especially in the Pacific northwest). Without the flowers, the leaves resemble many garden medicinals: mullein, comfrey and elecampagne, to name a few. As part of my annual introduction to wild foods, I emphasize the importance of proper identification with this cautionary tale: A dear friend of mine had an acquaintance in her yoga training-- a young woman who made green smoothies every morning. She would pick wild greens to add to her drink, and one day, when she went traveling, she went out into an unfamiliar garden and picked one digitalis leaf (Im assuming she thought she was picking comfrey) and put it into her smoothie. When she started feeling sick, they rushed her to hospital, but it was too late. Its a sad story indeed, and I share it as a reminder that we all need to be very careful with wild plants. Perhaps her tale will save another persons life. One wrong move, only one leaf (in this case) is all it takes. I love wild foods, and enjoy teaching others how to harvest them; the knowledge comes with the responsibility of remembering how important is to be diligent and detail-oriented!
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:06:21 +0000