In Arkansas, it occurs statewide except for some areas of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and lower elevations of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The genus name, from Greek, translates to “hound's tongue” in reference to leaf shape.

Where can I find wild comfrey?

Common comfrey is a hairy plant of damp ground and is found beside rivers, in fens and ditches, and on roadside verges and waste ground. It often grows in clumps and displays clusters of bell-shaped, pinky-purple flowers from May to July.

Where is comfrey native to?

Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) is native to Europe and Asia. Although comfrey has been used as a food crop, and as a forage crop, in the past 20 years scientific studies reported that comfrey may be carcinogenic, since it appeared to cause liver damage and cancerous tumors in rats.

What does a comfrey plant look like?

Comfrey is a perennial herb with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves that bears small bell-shaped flowers of various colours, typically cream or purplish. ... Comfrey is a fast growing plant, producing huge amounts of leaf during the growing season, and for that reason is very nitrogen hungry.

Is comfrey native to us?

Andersonglossum virginianum, known as wild comfrey, is a flowering plant in the borage family native to North America. It is also sometimes called blue houndstongue.

NO MORE COMFREY IN THE PERMACULTURE ORCHARD

Why is comfrey illegal in the US?

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, mutagenicity, and even death. [8,9] For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of oral comfrey products in the United States.

What animal eats comfrey?

Livestock Feed. You wouldn't think animals would not like to eat comfrey because of the tiny hairs on comfrey leaves, but sheep, pigs and chickens don't mind. Even rabbits and cattle will eat comfrey when it's wilted or dried as hay, according to the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Is comfrey an invasive plant?

Because it is a very deep root, it is extremely difficult to eradicate once established. ... Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum 'Bocking 14', which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden.

Where is the best place to grow comfrey?

Comfrey grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. But will grow almost anywhere. Comfrey prefers a sweet soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0 and grows best in rich, moist soil in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. * It will grow well in clay, light sands or loams — whether in dry or wet areas.

Will deer eat comfrey?

Comfrey is a great plant to have outside of your orchard (or garden)fencing. Deer enjoy this plant almost as much as hosta, but they don't eat it to the ground, more as a browse.

Do rabbits eat comfrey?

Many rabbit keepers offer comfrey as a supplemental feed option. Comfrey is a great source for vitamin A; it's also immune boosting, and good for the stomach and gut.

How is comfrey invasive?

Most comfrey plants can be somewhat invasive spreading via seed, to parts of the garden where they are not wanted. 'Bocking 14' will flower and provide nectar and pollen but will not produce viable seed. The first flowers of spring.

Are borage and comfrey the same thing?

Borage flowers are always blue while comfrey flowers bloom in white, pink and purple. The flowers have different shapes, as well, with comfrey flowers shaped like bells and borage flowers like stars. These two plants come from the same family, however, and look quite similar to each other when they aren't blooming.

Is comfrey good for wildlife?

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Perhaps the single best plant you can grow for bumblebees – they absolutely love it. It also makes a great liquid manure.

Can I pick wild comfrey?

Only pick from white flowered Comfrey, see below. The younger, higher up leaves are more succulent to use as a green but the older, thicker leaves are better for making fritters from. People have used the stems, cooking them a little like asparagus.

Is comfrey poisonous to dogs?

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but the insecticide can be harmful to a dog.

Is comfrey good for chickens?

"Comfrey is well-suited as a feed for chickens. Chickens' digestive systems are not equipped to handle much fiber. Comfrey is low in fiber and high in protein and minerals, especially when cut regularly.

Does comfrey come back every year?

Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.

Is it safe to grow comfrey?

It is an extremely tolerant and resilient plant. Suitable for perennial cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, it is not very sensitive to soil conditions or pH, and it spreads rapidly. There is no need to worry much about weed control, because comfrey's large, quick-growing leaves will shade them out.

When was comfrey banned?

In 2001 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned comfrey products marketed for internal use. A warning label was included for products intended for external use only. Do not use if pregnant and/or lactating. People with liver, kidney, or vascular diseases should avoid comfrey.

Is comfrey toxic to cattle?

Comfrey is especially good for animals you are milking. It gives does, cows and ewes a nutritional boost. You can even dry it and then feed it to your animals in the winter.

Is comfrey really toxic?

Comfrey has toxic substances that can cause severe liver damage and even death. You should never take comfrey by mouth. The toxic substances in comfrey can be absorbed by the skin. Even creams and ointments should be used for only a short time, and only under a doctor's supervision.

Is comfrey good for compost?

Comfrey out-performs manure, compost and many liquid feeds for concentration of nutrients. It produces these from a deep root system extending right into the subsoil that most edible plants cannot access. It also has an ideal Carbon:Nitrogen ratio which means that it does not hamper absorption of nitrogen by plants.