True Comfrey Symphytum officinale
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-FY-tum oh-fiss-ih-NAH-lee
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
One of many species referred to as comfrey. It has a long history of use as a medicinal herb for topical and internal injuries, though it is no longer deemed safe for ingestion.
This plant grows best in full sun to part shade and well-drained, moist, rich soil. In NC's hot summers, it appreciates some shade. It is deer resistant and tolerant to drought and clay soil. As it easily spreads and resprouts from any root pieces left behind from removal, it can be grown in large containers to better control its spread.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Herb & Flower Cottage Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphytum
- Species:
- officinale
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Medicinal use for injuries
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, W. Asia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Bluebell-like purple flowers that grow in clusters. Blooms in late spring and early summer, May to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large, coarse leaves covered in hair. The base of the upper leaves run down the length of the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are winged.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Ingestion can lead to liver damage, lung damage, and cancer. Considered possibly safe to use externally.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
