SafePlants

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)

Wild comfrey, scientifically known as Cynoglossum virginianum, is a plant found in North America. It's also commonly called blue houndstongue.

Considerations for Pets

• Wild comfrey is a hairy plant with rough fine hair on its leaves and stem.
• The leaves are described as tongue-shaped, which refers to their rough texture.

Considerations for Children

• The leaves are described as tongue-shaped, which refers to their rough texture.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cynoglossum virginianum L.
• Common Names: Wild comfrey, blue houndstongue, blue hound's tongue, giant forget-me-not, wild comphise
• Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
• Synonyms: The text mentions Alan Cressler's work identifying Cynoglossum virginianum, indicating synonyms may exist, but they aren't explicitly listed.
• Subordinate Taxa: Cynoglossum virginianum L. var. boreale (Fernald) Cooperrider (Northern Wild Comfrey)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to North America and the United States.
• Specifically mentioned locations include:
  • Northeast North America
  • Florida (Gadsden and Liberty Counties, around Torreya State Park, where it is considered rare)
  • Howard Co., Maryland
  • Carroll Co., Maryland
  • Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.
• Habitat includes streams, lakes, other bodies of water, and roadside hedgerows.

Ecological Role

• In some contexts, its spread along roadsides is attributed to historical practices.
• It's also mentioned as being good for erosion control, suggesting a potential benefit in certain environments.
• One source describes the "Wild, Native Comfrey Root that is very invasive"

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Erect, unbranched perennial, growing up to 2 feet tall.
• Coarse, hairy plant.
• Leaves:
  • Large basal leaves are soft, hairy, and elliptical with long petioles, resembling hounds' tongues.
  • Simple, entire leaves with rough fine hair.
  • Smaller leaves on the stem.
• Flowers:
  • Racemes of 1/3-inch blue-violet to nearly white flowers.
  • Short-tubular with 5 lobes, resembling Forget-me-nots.
• Begins growing oval leaves in a basal rosette during spring.

Traditional Uses and Interactions

• Historically, it has been suggested as a substitute for Common Comfrey.
• The text notes that "Gathering comfrey in the wild may be dangerous for the novice herbalist because the early spring leaves somewhat resemble the deadly ones of nightshade".
• Historically, comfrey leaves were reportedly fed to horses by gypsies.
• Comfrey leaves are a main ingredient in a healing salve for wounds.

Quirky Facts

• The genus name Cynoglossum comes from the Greek words "cynos" (of a dog) and "glossa" (tongue), referring to the rough, tongue-shaped leaves.

Further Information

• www.mass.gov/nhesp (for information on Northern Wild Comfrey status)
• Hertel, G. (2014). Wild Comfrey, Gordon Natural Area. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/gna_bps_images/57