Flora Zambesiaca

Taxon Detail

FZ volume:8 part:2 (1990) Scrophulariaceae by D. Philcox

(Search other Kew databases for: Digitalis purpurea)

Digitalis purpurea L.

Sp. Pl.: 621 (1753). TAB.29. Type from Southern Europe.

Distribution:

Malawi

N: Nyika Plateau, Chelinda Area, 2250 m, fl. 22.xi.1967, Richards 22685 (K).

S: Mulanje Mt., Luchenya Plateau, c. 1890 m., fl. 18.ix.1970, Pawek 3880 (K).

Zimbabwe

E: Mutare Distr., c. 1750 m., fl. 12.iii.1981, Philcox & Leppard 8973 (K; SRGH).

Range:

Distribution as for genus.

Habitat:

ecology as for genus. 

Description:

Biennial or perennial herb up to 75 (125) cm. tall, erect, shortly pubescent or lanate above, glabrescent below. Basal leaves long petiolate; lamina lanceolate-ovate to ovate, pubescent with indumentum of mixed short glandular and multicellular eglandular white . hairs, 7.5–15 x 2–6.5 cm., finely serrate to crenate-dentate, obtuse at apex, cuneate at base, coarsely reticulate-veined; petiole 8.5–14 cm. long, indumentum similar to that of lamina; stem leaves few, similar to basal but much reduced in size, continuing above with much greater reduction as sessile, entire floral bracts. Inflorescence 15–50 or more-flowered, simple to rarely slightly branched, flowers drooping. Pedicels 6–18 mm. long. Calyx 5-lobed to base, 6–18 x 3–12 mm., ovate, strongly nerved, the uppermost smaller, more acute at apex. Corolla 4.0–4.5 cm. long, shortly 4-lobed, light purple usually crimson spotted, to rarely white. Stamens included. Capsule 14 x 8 mm., ovoid obtuse.