Foxglove

or digitalis, a handsome flowering plant, closely related to the monkey flower, pensteron, and gerardia. The want of similarity to a fox's foot has led to the thought that the word may be a corruption of folk's (fairy folks) glove, but "unfortunately etymologists discredit this pretty suggestion." Other popular names are fairy cap and witches' thimble. A suitable plant for borders, easily grown. The leaves of the purple foxglove, steeped in water or alcohol, afford a decoction used in medicine to stimulate heart action.