Symphytum officinale

Symphytum officinale
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Symphytum
Species:
S. officinale
Binomial name
Symphytum officinale
Synonyms
  • Symphitum officinale (orth.var.)

Symphytum officinale is a perennial flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. Along with thirty four other species of Symphytum, it is known as comfrey (from the Latin confervere to 'heal' or literally to 'boil together', referring to uses in ancient traditional medicine). Internal or long-term topical use of comfrey is discouraged due to its strong potential to cause liver toxicity.[1]

To differentiate it from other members of the genus Symphytum, this species is known as common comfrey[2] or true comfrey. Other English names include boneset, knitbone, consound, and slippery-root.[3]

It is native to Europe, growing in damp, grassy places. It is found throughout Ireland and Britain on river banks and ditches. It occurs in North America as an introduced species and weed. The flowers are mostly visited by bumblebees.[4]

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