Circulation, Commercialization of Digitalis Legal in Japan Despite its Dangers

The stunning pink and purple carpets of digitalis flowers that are becoming more common on Japanese hillsides hide a serious threat to ecosystems and perhaps human health.

The early summer-blooming flowers were originally a European garden plant.

The herb is also referred to as a perennial plant.

Since digitalis is not included in the Environment Ministry's listing of invasive alien species, it is legal to sell and distribute the plant in Japan.

Invasive Digitalis flower

(Photo : Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

In 2021, Yokohama-based photographer Takayuki Kono learned that digitalis was flourishing in the wild there while researching other invasive alien plant types, as per The Asahi Shimbum.

The photographer claimed that whenever he hears that digitalis is developing naturally, he contacts local governments and museums in the region.

Digitalis may grow to heights of far more than 1 meter and is typically grown for decorative purposes. Because of the way its flowers look, it is also known as foxglove.

The plant has poisons, including digitoxin.

It's likely that digitalis plants in Japan were first cultivated in backyards in wooded regions before being dispersed into the wild.

In other instances, people or their clothing may have brought the plant's seeds into the wild.

The reproductive grounds of precious alpine and other plant species that seem to be largely out of human sight could be invaded by digitalis since it thrives in chilly conditions.

However, deer do not consume digitalis, which has led to significant overgrazing issues throughout Japan. Whereas other native plants are being consumed by animals, the toxic blossom may flourish.

The Environment Ministry has not formally categorized digitalis as an invasive alien species. The central government's 2015 Invasive Alien Species List of Japan does not include a list of it.

According to Wakayama Prefecture, digitalis is an ordinance-based species that must be controlled.

To get rid of the plant in Tanabe's Ryujin-mura district, the prefectural administration has been working since 2019.

An employee of the prefectural government's office for the environment said that they made the decision to get started as soon as possible because this is the standard procedure for actions against every invasive alien species.

Also Read: 5 Common Houseplants that are Actually Lethal

Digitalis is used for medical purposes

William Withering, a British physician whose book An Account of the Foxglove was originally published in 1785, popularized the use of digitalis for medical purposes, as per AAAS.

Digoxin, a medication currently used to treat cardiac arrhythmia, is still produced from various of species that have been used medically for centuries.

The leaves are removed to produce digoxin, a complex chemical with several carbohydrate-type rings and a heart glycoside.

Digoxin appears to prevent the Na+/K+ ATPase pump from working properly in cardiac muscle cells, which results in an excess of intracellular Na+ and, in turn, an increase in calcium ions in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Digitalis was used by Withering for a range of illnesses, including anasarca (generalized edema), epilepsy, hydrothorax (fluid in the pleural cavities), ovarian dropsy, and phthisis pulmonalis, despite its current use as a cardiac medication (probably tuberculosis).

As a final option, Withering occasionally employed digitalis.

Not that digitalis is a wonder drug. It is actually quite poisonous. According to Withering, the Foxglove causes sickness, vomiting, purging, giddiness, confused vision, objects that appear green or yellow, increased urine secretion, a slow pulse, even as slow as 35 in a minute, cold sweats, convulsions, syncope (unconsciousness), and death when given in large and quickly repeated doses.

Related Article: Prehistoric Flower Found Perfectly Preserved In Amber, Researcher Say