Distribution of the species
Common species on road sides and deciduous forests in most of Paggaio. It has been recorded from the altitude of 400 m asl., while it can be found in shrublands and road sides up to 1,600 m asl., in openings and edges of beech forests or even in sub-alpine meadows.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
A large number of individuals of this species has been recorded in Paggaio. Biennial or perennial herbaceous plant, with a strong, vertical stem, up to 100 cm in height. Its leaves are lanceolate, while the flowers are usually pale yellow or gray-yellow, bell-shaped, tubular with an elongated lower lip. The flowers form many long-sized and dense inflorescences along the stem. It flowers from June to August. Grecian foxglove grows in deep, humus and relatively moist soils, as well as in shaded and semi-shaded environments, such as beech and pine forests (black and Scotch pine). Beekeeping plant with special aesthetic value due to its inflorescence and flowers. Medicinal and poisonous plant in large doses, used as a tonic for the heart and nervous system. Its leaves contain the alkaloid cardiac glycosides digoxin and digitoxin. These substances can improve blood circulation and reduce swelling of abdomen and lungs caused by heart failure, but should not be taken without strict medical supervision. The plant uses them as a defense weapon against animals that will try to eat larger quantities of leaves than “allowed”. The insatiable will pay for overeating with their lives.
Due to the small number of individuals that occur in Paggaio and their limited geographical distribution, the species is considered quite endangered. Logging or road construction in the recorded areas can lead to complete disappearance from Paggaio.
Conservation status
Presidential Decree 67/81 (F.E.K. 23 / A / 30-01-1981).
Conservation state
Assigned to the “LC-Least Concern” category by IUCN, which does not necessarily mean that the species is safe or should not be protected. It rather means that the species “is not in immediate extinction risk if the current conditions are maintained”. It is included in the table of Presidential Decree 67/81 (F.E.K. 23 / A / 30-01-1981) “On the protection of native flora and fauna and the definition of a procedure for coordination and control of their research”.