Comfrey

Comfrey, the English name of the boraginaceous genus Symphytum. They are rough perennial plants, having a cooling taste like borage and scorpioid inflorescences of cylindrico-tubular flowers, cream-coloured, purple, or blue. There are two British waterside species, and a third, S. peregrinum, probably a cultivated hybrid between the British S. officinale and the Caucasian S. asperrimum, has been introduced as a forage-plant under the name Prickly Comfrey. It grows freely, even in stiff clay, and proves a most valuable winter fodder, especially for horses.