Common Comfrey

(Symphytum officinale)

Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Symphytum officinale, commonly known as Common Comfrey, is a deciduous perennial herb native to damp, grassy places, riverbanks, and ditches as well as moist meadows and woodlands in Europe and Siberia. It typically grows to a height of 1–3 ft (0.3–0.9 m) and is recognized for its black, turnip-like root and large, hairy, broad leaves. From May to June, Common Comfrey produces clusters of small bell-shaped flowers that are coiled initially and then open out. The flowers come in shades of cream, white, pink, or purplish and are particularly attractive to pollinators due to the significant nectar they produce. Although the long floral tubes restrict access to insects with long tongues, some bees circumvent this by biting into the side of the flower to reach the nectar.

Common Comfrey is valued for its use in organic gardening, particularly as a compost activator due to its high levels of nitrogen. It is also used in herbal medicine, although it should be used with caution due to the presence of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun or part shade and prefers medium amounts of water. It is adaptable to various soil types, whether slow, medium, or fast-draining. While it can be a beneficial plant, Symphytum officinale is potentially invasive in some regions, including the United States, and can outcompete native flora. Gardeners should check local regulations before planting to prevent unintended ecological impacts.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 0.8-2.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Potted Plant

Natural Habitat

Damp grassy places, riverbanks, ditches, moist meadows, and woodlands in Europe and Siberia

Other Names

Common Names: True Comfrey, Healingherb, Quaker Comfrey, Boneset, Knitbone, Consound, And Slippery-Root, Cultivated Comfrey, Slippery-Root, Boneset

Scientific Names: , Symphytum officinale, Symphytum molle, Symphytum patens, Symphytum coccineum, Symphytum elatum, Consolida major, Symphytum album, Symphytum ambiguum, Symphytum commune

GBIF Accepted Name: Symphytum officinale L.