Comfrey

 

 

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

 

 

 



Common names: 

Comfrey, Bone knit, Knit bone

Form:

Perennial herbaceous plant, growing 3' to 5' tall
Deep tap root

Growing:

Comfrey is easily propagated through root cuttings.  People who  try to eliminate comfrey by tilling end up with a field of comfrey, it is best eliminated by smothering.  Gophers and squirrels like to harvest and bury pieces of root, spreading the herb.

Thrives in full sun, tolerates partial shade.
USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9

Seed Saving:

Permaculture uses:

Medicinal herb, applied topically or as bruised leaf or salve to treat broken bones, bruises, tissue damage.
Dynamic accumulator; Nitrogen, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Silicon [source: Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway]
Fermented for liquid fertilizer
Forage on limited basis
Chop and drop mulch up to 5 times a season

Needs:

Soil
Sunlight
Water

Products:

Leaves
Roots
Flowers


Wikipedia, Comfrey

TC permaculture, Comfrey