Thursday Challenge: Close

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The foxglove, with it's stately bells Of purple, shall adorn thy dells.
- D.M. Moir

This is a "macro" photograph of the flowering foxglove. Digitalis purpurea is the scientific name and gives a hint at its medicinal purposes. Digitalis was originally obtained from this plant, although today Digoxin is made synthetically to better control dosage. It's beautiful flowers are the favorite of the ruby throat hummingbird, however, the plant is poison to other animals and humans if ingested, causing dizziness, vomiting, irregular heart beat, and delirium or hallucinations. OK, that's probably more than you wanted to know.

This foxglove was in a wonderful garden here in Hampton Roads. No pets are present to be in jeopardy and the gardeners are not in the habit of chewing on the plants so we all can just enjoy the unique flower.

Submitted to Thursday Challenge. (end)