Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Boraginaceae
Other names
Common Comfrey, Healing Herb, Boneset
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Perennial
Native distribution
Not Native to the Finger Lakes Region, Europe and Asia; Naturalized in N. America
Biocultural value
External compresses of the macerated root are used in folk medicine to promote healing of wounds, dislocations and broken bones.
Location
Robison Herb Garden, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve
Source of plant
Audry O'Connor
Description
Perennial reaching 3' in height, with thick roots; leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, decurrent atbase, covered with stiff hairs; flowers white, yellowish, purple or rose, about 1/2" long, long-pedicelled, anthers longer than their filaments.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
food, other ethnobotanical uses, medicinal/pharmaceutical
Status
L3|SNR|GNR