Common comfrey

Description:

The Common comfrey shoots up quickly early in the season and can easily reach heights of around 5 feet. The lower leaves are equally large, somewhat dwarfing the hanging clusters of flowers at the top of the plant. The form and size of the plants might have you thinking it’s a shrub, but it will die back to the ground in the winter and it does not get woody. The plant has a deep tap root, so it is extremely drought tolerant and a useful clay busting plant. It leaves are coarse and hairy with winged stalks and stems. Ovate to lance-shaped and dark green. The flowers of the Common comfrey can be violet, pink or creamy yellow and are born on forked cymes.

Habitat:

The Common comfrey is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It can be found on the banks of rivers and ditches, and in watery places generally.

Notes:

Spotted in rural area of Deventer, Holland.