Vibrant, life-saving, yet poisonous, Fairy Thimbles (Foxglove) add a splash of colour to this Irish country road near the village of Lissycasey, County Clare.

A biennial native wildflower, Foxglove blooms all over the Irish countryside from June to August. While it's poisonous and considered unlucky to bring indoors, it also contains digitoxin, a primary component of life-saving heart drugs. How's that for a bright side and a dark side to this vibrant wildflower?