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Fairy Thimbles – Poisonous, but a Life Saver

Fairy Thimbles Irish wildflower

Fairy Thimbles, a poisonous wildflower with life-saving characteristics.

These bright purple flowers — Foxglove —  are known locally as “Fairy Thimbles,” a biennial native of Ireland and found blooming all over the countryside from June to August.

Ironically, this plant is poisonous, but it's also a life saver!  It contains digitoxin and digoxin, both substances used in heart medications. In some parts of Ireland, they were considered unlucky flowers, not to be brought indoors.

James A. Truett

Artist, Fine Art Photographer & Author of seven books — private pilot, sailor & proud Dad. Exhibited globally in Beijing, Hong Kong, Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Berlin, Las Vegas, Miami, Bucharest, Cologne, Zurich, Bali, and Islamabad. Motto: See Beauty Everywhere!