Plant · P-003

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Comfrey is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial with broad, hairy leaves and a deep taproot that draws minerals up from far below the surface, making it a heavy source of chop-and-drop mulch and compost material. Clusters of small bell-shaped purple, blue or cream flowers open from late spring into summer and draw pollinators and slugs alike. Every leaf cutting regrows quickly, but so does every piece of root left behind, and this species also spreads by seed - a trait its sterile hybrid relatives lack.