Comfrey Confusion - Plant Identification
It's one of the cornerstone plants in permaculture and forest gardening. Comfrey is a deep rooted leafy perennial that provides a range of benefits and uses.
There are a number of other plants that have a similar appearance and look a bit like comfrey.
Related
Pentaglottis sempervirens
Common name
Alkanet, Forget-me-not
Botanical name
Pentaglottis sempervirens
Family
Boraginaceae
Details
Loved by bees, this plant is easy to grow to the point of being a weed.
Easily propagated via seed and roof pieces
Easily propagated via seed and roof pieces
Diameter
1.00
Forest layer
herbaceous
Flowers
Blue
Drought tolerance
Evergreen
Perennial
Soil type
Most
Broadleaved dock
Botanical name
Rumex obtusifolius
Details
Benefits
- Perennial weed with large broad leaves and a thick, strong taproot
- Most common in damp waste places and pastures, especially in higher fertility areas such as stockyards, cowsheds, water troughs and gardens.
- Up to 1m tall when flowering at almost any time of the year. Stems erect and leafy with whorls of green to red flowers that later turn brown
- Leaves broad and flat, heart-shaped at the base.
- Grow to 35 cm long and 15 cm wide, hairy underneath and with long stalks
- Fruit are small, heart-shaped, brown, three angled nuts approximately 2.5 mm long
- Stems become stiff and woody as the plant matures.
Benefits
- Leaves can be used to soothe a range of skin irritations including mosquito bites and nettle rash
- Leaves may be used in cooking (cream soup and casseroles). and also in salads
- Roots have been used as a coffee substitute.
Comfrey
Botanical name
Symphytum officinale
Family
Boraginaceae
Details
Fantastic companion plant for forest gardens. Chop and drop through spring and summer to nourish adjacent trees and improve soil quality.
Diameter
1.00
Forest layer
rhizosphere
Height (m)
0.5
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full sun - part shade
Propagation method
Division