Scientific Name
Symphytum officinale L.
Common Names
Comfrey, Common Comfrey, True Comfrey, Quaker Comfrey, Cultivated Comfrey, Boneset, Consound, Healingherb, Knitbone, Slippery-Root
Synonyms
Symphytum peregrinum
Scientific Classification
Family: Boraginaceae
Subfamily: Boraginoideae
Genus: Symphytum
Flower
Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mid-spring to early summer
Description
Symphytum officinale is a hardy perennial plant that grows up to 4 feet (1.3 m) tall. The roots are fleshy and white inside and black on the outside. Stems are thick and hairy and bear large, ovate to lanceolate, dark green leaves. Flowers are small and bell-shaped, densely arranged in clusters, and varying in color from white, creamy white to light purple and pink.
How to Grow and Care
Comfrey can be grown from seed, but it requires a winter chilling 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.
Origin
Native to Europe.
Links
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