Symphytum officinale
Family: Boraginaceae
Common name: COMFREY
Native to: Europe
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, rosette
Max height: 4 feet
Max width: 6.6 feet
Flower
magenta/purple, pink, violet, white/off white
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Plant features: invasive, toxic
Exposure: part shade, sun
Invasive
Propagates by: seed
flowers in spring
flowers in summer
Soil type: wide range
USDA Zones: zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -40 to +30 °F
Water: moist
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 23 species of Symphytum, a member of the Boraginaceae family. Symphytum officinale, or COMFREY, is a four-foot tall perennial that is invasive and toxic. It grows from seed in Zones 3-9 and prefers moist water conditions.
