Digitalis ciliata
Digitalis ciliata | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Plantaginaceae |
Genus: | Digitalis |
Species: | D. ciliata
|
Binomial name | |
Digitalis ciliata Trautv. |
Digitalis ciliata, commonly called hairy foxglove is a member of the genus Digitalis.[1] It has thimble-shaped, yellow to cream colored flowers produced on perennial plants with evergreen foliage. It is native to the Caucasus and is grown as an ornamental in other parts of the world. The species name is derived from the fine hairs that cover the plants stems and flowers.
Description
Individuals of these species are
Flowers and fruit
The flowers of Digitalis ciliata are a distinguishing feature that gave the entire genus its name, as it has a campanulate structure that also resembles a thimble and fits on the tip of the finger. The
Distribution
Digitalis ciliata is native to the Caucasus area.[5]
Ecology
Digitalis ciliata can be found in meadows, pastures, in the margins of forests, and also on slopes, as it is indigenous to mountainous terrain.[3]
Uses
Horticulture
It can also be grown throughout the world where there is warm enough weather and well-drained yet moist soil. It can be grown as an ornamental plant in both Europe and North America.
Medicinal
Digitalis ciliata is used to isolate cardenolide glycolosides and is abundant in basically all of the glycosides that the Digitalis genus is known for. These common glycosides include digitoxigenin, gitoxigenin, digoxigenin, gitaloxigenin, and diginatigenin.[3]
The seeds of D. ciliata are rich in the steroid glycoside digitonin, along with other lipids that are important in cardiac treatments.[6]
Not only is D. ciliata useful in the cardiac sector of medicine, but its anti-proliferative roles are also being looked into for its possible role in suppressing tumors. There may be evidence that the saponins found in this species have an anti-tumor effect by aiding in cell cycle arrest and cell death, or apoptosis.[3]
References
- ^ "Digitalis ciliata | hairy foxglove Herbaceous Perennial/RHS Gardening".
- ^ http://www.rareplants.de. 2012. Digitalis ciliata (Yellow Caucasus Foxglove). Web 30 April 2012. http://www.rareplants.de/shop/product.asp?P_ID=11983
- ^ PMID 22245088.
- ^ a b The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. Web 30 April 2012. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Digitalis
- ISBN 978-3-642-21200-0. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ Kemertelidze, E. 2007. Biologically Active Compounds and original remedies from plants growing in Georgia. pp. 91-93. http://www.science.org.ge/2007-vol1/91-95.pdf[permanent dead link]