Scientific Name
Symphytum bulbosum K.F.Schimp.
Common Name(s)
Bulbous Comfrey
Synonym(s)
Symphytum zeyheri
Scientific Classification
Family: Boraginaceae
Subfamily: Boraginoideae
Genus: Symphytum
Origin
Symphytum bulbosum is native to the Mediterranean region. It grows at an elevation from sea level up to 3,281 feet (1,000 m).
Flower
Color: Pale yellow
Bloom Time: March and April
Description
Symphytum bulbosum is a flowering plant that grows up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall from small tubers or rhizomes in wet, swampy places. The petals are pale yellow and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. It flowers in March and April.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 4a to 8b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Comfrey can be grown from seed, but it requires a chilling winter period to germinate. If all you want is one plant, you can usually find them for a reasonable price in the herb section of local nurseries or by mail order. Plants can go outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
When starting several plants, it is more common to use root cuttings. These are 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) lengths of the root, which are planted horizontally 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) deep. Plant shallow in clay soil and deeper in sandy soils.
You can also grow Comfrey from crown cuttings, but these will be more expensive. A crown cutting will include several eyes and grow faster than root cuttings. However, the difference is negligible. Crown cuttings are planted 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) deep.
Comfrey is widely adapted, but it will thrive in rich organic soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Comfrey.
Links
- Back to genus Symphytum
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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