Canary Island Foxglove

Appearance

Individuals of these species are small, evergreen plants growing into rounded shrubs up to 150 cm tall. The plant has lanceolate-ovoid leaves with toothed margins. The leaves are spirally arranged. The inflorescence is a cluster of orange-reddish, 3 cm large flowers with short petals and noticeable upper lip and lower lip. Bird pollination by the island populations of ''Phylloscopus'' species has been documented. The fruit is a capsule.

''Digitalis canariensis'' contains cardenolids , which are toxic in the case of an overdose. Medical use is documented, primarily historical in nature.

Distribution

''Digitalis canariensis'' is endemic to the Canary Islands) where it occurs on the islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma. It grows in wooded areas in laurel forest and ''Erica arborea''-covered woods.