Tuberous Comfrey - Symphytum tuberosum - €7 per plant
 €12 for 5 root cuttings 

 Tuberous comfrey is native to Europe. The plant can spread rapidly in relatively dry soils and is sometimes grown as a perennial ground cover. An excellent bee plant with a prolonged flowering period. The leaves from this plant are high in potassium and make excellent mulch for the garden. The healing properties of this herb are well renowned.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context


  • native region: Europe, including Britain, south and east from Germany to Spain, S.w.Russia and Turkey.
  • native habitat: Woods, scrub, fields and by rivers
  • family: Boraginaceae

Predators

  • S

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or full sun, but prefers semi-shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8
  • Prefers moist soil

Known hazards 

  • No reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, but the following reports have been seen for S. officinale. ​This plant contains small quantities of a toxic alkaloid which can have a cumulative effect upon the liver. Largest concentrations are found in the roots, leaves contain higher quantities of the alkaloid as they grow older and young leaves contain almost none. Most people would have to consume very large quantities of the plant in order to do any harm, though anyone with liver problems should obviously be more cautious. In general, the health-promoting properties of the plant probably far outweigh any possible disbenefits, especially if only the younger leaves are used.

Overview

  • Perennial growing to 0.6 m  by 0.6 m at a fast rate​
  • It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • It can tolerate temperatures to minus 20
  • It prefers moist soil.

Characteristics


  • form: Herbaceous Perennial
  • layer : Herb/Ground Layer
  • habit: Plants form extensive patches, spreading by means of a creeping tuberous rhizome 
  • height x width (m): 0.6 x 0.6

Products 


  • Medicinal: Comfrey is a commonly used herbal medicine with a long and proven history in the treatment of various complaints. The root and the leaves are used, the root being more active, and they can be taken internally or used externally as a poultice
  • Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 1.2 metres apart each way
  • Biomass makes very valuable addition to the compost heap and as mulch
  • A liquid feed can be obtained by soaking the leaves in a small amount of water for a week, excellent for potassium demanding crops such as tomatoes
  • A great bee plant - pretty white, yellow or purple flowers The usual pollinators are the common carder bumble bee, honey bee, and red mason bee.

Functions, behaviours


  • Easy to propagate from root cuttings
  • The flowers are very attractive to bees amongst other pollinaters
  • A good, and sometimes rampant, ground cover plant for a shady border or woodland.
If you would like this plant  please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project