Red foxglove at risk and must be protected

The Faroese Nature Agency is urging the public to protect the red foxglove, a rare and unprotected plant in the Faroe Islands.

According to biologist Jóhanna Alberg, the red foxglove is one of two foxglove species in the Faroes, the other being the more common purple-spotted variety. Unlike its counterpart, the red foxglove is not legally protected, despite its rarity and inclusion on the Faroese red list of threatened species.

Alberg notes that a common misconception persists that all foxgloves are protected, likely due to the plant’s listing. However, she clarifies that only the purple-spotted foxglove enjoys legal protection.

She encourages people to avoid picking or harming the red foxglove, as its recent spread may be linked to past conservation efforts. “If it is now rare, we can assume it has always been rare,” Alberg said.

The Nature Agency welcomes the growing public interest in preserving the species.