Symphytum

Symphytum, commonly known as comfrey, is a small genus of perennial herbs in the family Boraginaceae. The best known species is Symphytum officinale, the common comfrey. The plants are native to Europe and western Asia and have been introduced worldwide as ornamental perennials and in herb gardens. They grow from creeping rhizomes and reach heights of about 0.5 to 1.5 meters. Leaves are large, rough, and hairy; flowers are bell-shaped and typically blue to violet, sometimes white, arranged in loose panicles from late spring to early summer. The genus includes several cultivated forms and hybrids.

Symphytum typically inhabits damp, nutrient-rich soils, tolerating shade and various moisture conditions. In cultivation, comfrey is valued for its vigorous growth and its use in organic gardening: leaves are high in potassium and can be composted or used to make a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer or comfrey tea. The plants also serve as a dynamic accumulator, drawing nutrients from deeper soil layers.

Regarding safety, comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids in many tissues, and internal use is discouraged in humans due to risk of liver damage. Topical, PA-free preparations or preparations from leaf juice intended for skin use are sometimes marketed, but consumers should follow medical guidance. Because it can spread aggressively and self-seed, gardeners often manage its growth by regular cutting and removing flowers.

In summary, Symphytum is a hardy, rhizomatous perennial known for vigorous growth, medicinal historic associations for topical wound care, and practical roles in organic gardening, with safety considerations limiting internal use.