Comfrey, Russian Comfrey
Symphytum x uplandicum

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1.8 m high and spreads 1.2 m wide. It has thick rhizomes. It has bristles. The flowers are red-purple. They occur in large clusters. It is a natural hybrid.

There are about 25 Symphytum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Cook Islands, Europe, Luxembourg, North America, Pacific, Russia, Slovenia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used cooked. They are also used in soups and can be liquidized and used as a drink. The dried leaves are used for tea. They are best dried quickly to give a good flavour. The dried leaves are also ground into a powder and used in gravies, soups and stews.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

švedski gabez

Synonyms

Symphytum asperum x Symphytum officinale; Symphytum peregrinum;