Wild comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)

Wild comfrey

Wild comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum) is a beautifully simple plant.  It begins growing its oval leaves in a basal rosette during spring.  After those leaves are established, it then grows the central flower stalk as can be seen in the next photo.  A spring hailstorm cut the various ragged holes and edges on the leaves for this particular plant.

Wild comfrey

This is one “hairy” plant — with hairs on every surface — including its flower stalk.

Wild comfrey

This next photo shows a typical Wild comfrey inflorescence.

Wild comfrey

Lastly, here’s a closer view of the Wild comfrey flowers.

Wild comfrey

NOTE:  Wild comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum) is not related to Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale).  They are in different genuses, although they are both memers of the Borage family (Boraginaceae).  Read this excellent blog post by Elle D’Coda of Herbal Coaching Community for a well-researched and descriptive comparison of these two different comfrey plants.

Watch this video for more photos of Wild comfrey throughout one year of its life cycle.  The images can help you accurately identify this plant whenever you have an opportunity to see it.

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