common comfrey

plant

Also known as: Symphytum officinale

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

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Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a medicinal herb belonging to the Boraginaceae family. Native to Eurasia, it has naturalized as a weed in North America. This plant typically grows to about 90 centimeters (3 feet) tall and features hairy stems with wings. Its bell-shaped flowers, which can be blue, purplish, or yellow, are pollinated by bees.12

Historically, common comfrey has been used to treat wounds. The plant also yields a gum that has been utilized in the wool industry. The fruit of the comfrey plant consists of four oval nutlets.1

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comfrey
…family Boraginaceae, especially the medicinal common comfrey (S. officinale), used to treat wounds and a source of a gum for treatment of wool. The coiled sprays of comfrey blooms, which are bell-like, deeply parted, five-lobed, and hanging, are usually pollinated by bees.
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…family Boraginaceae, especially the medicinal common comfrey (S. officinale), used to treat wounds and a source of a gum for treatment of wool. The coiled sprays of comfrey blooms, which are bell-like, deeply parted, five-lobed, and hanging, are usually pollinated by bees.
Read More