Foxgloves
Sir,—ln the gardening column of this morning's issue a picture is shown of a foxglove which is described as abnormal, or a fasciation. Your contributor is in error in so describing this flower as It is a species and has been known for over 100 years. Its botanical name is Digitalis monstrosa. I first saw this flower growing 35 years ago in the garden of Mr A. Withell, Brookside, and obtained some plants from him which became established in my garden in Papanui road. They seeded freely and plants grew in several parts of the garden, these plants all showing their usual characteristic of “the inflated top bloom.”— Yours, etc, O. W. B. ANDERSON. January 9, 1959. [Mr T. D. Lennie says: “Mr Anderson’s comments do not disprove my contention that the foxglove flower shown was an example of fasciation, as evidenced by the broad, flattened stem shown. This condition is hereditary, and cuttings from fasciated daphne or hydrangea will also carry the malady and reproduce it. ‘Johnston’s Gardening Manual’ makes no mention of Digitalis monstrosa, which, after all, is only descriptive, and could . reproduce itself from seeds.”]
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28794, 15 January 1959, Page 2
Word Count
189Foxgloves Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28794, 15 January 1959, Page 2
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