Comfrey Facts
Comfrey Facts
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| Interesting Comfrey Facts: |
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| Comfrey has erect, hollow, hairy stem that can reach 4 feet in height. |
| Comfrey has large, turnip-like tuberous root with numerous lateral branches. Root is black on the surface, white from the inside and filled with slimy juice (hence the nickname: "slippery root"). |
| Comfrey develops large, thick, lance-shaped leaves covered with hairs. They are dark green on the upper surface, and light green on the bottom side. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem. |
| Comfrey produces small, bell-shaped flowers that grow from the axils of leaves on the upper part of the stem. Flowers are arranged in dense, drooping clusters. They can be white, creamy, violet or blue colored. |
| Comfrey blooms during the summer. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs. They attract bumblebees, responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Fruit of comfrey are 4 nutlets. They are pear-shaped and brownish-black colored. |
| Comfrey propagates via seed and root cuttings. |
| Comfrey was used as leafy vegetables (both fresh and cooked) in the past. Leaves are rich source of vitamins A and B12 and minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorus. |
| Comfrey is still used as animal fodder. |
| Comfrey is often used as fertilizer because it accumulates large quantities of valuable minerals and nutrients in the leaves. Cut leaves and liquid solution made of comfrey leaves facilitate growth of commercially important plants such as potato and tomato. |
| Scientific name of comfrey is "Symphytum". It originates from Greek word "sympho" which means "to join together". Name refers to the ability of plant to accelerate healing of broken bones. |
| Comfrey is part of folk medicine at least 2.000 years. It is commonly used in treatment of lung disorders, wounds, fractures, bruises and broken bones. |
| Tea and juice obtained from comfrey are used in treatment of ulcers, internal bleeding, colitis, nasal congestion, cough and diarrhea. |
| Comfrey contains low quantity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (group of toxic compounds). According to some authors, prolonged consumption of comfrey can induce liver damage (or even liver cancer) in humans. Articles dealing with potential toxicity of comfrey resulted in drastic reduction in the popularity of this plant. |
| Comfrey is perennial plant (life span: more than 2 years in the wild). |
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