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wild comfrey
Scientific Name: Cynoglossum virginianum var. virginianum
Family: Boraginaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: NY (wild comfrey)
Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)
Wild comfrey, scientifically known as Cynoglossum virginianum, is a plant also referred to as blue houndstongue. It belongs to the Boraginaceae (Borage) family. The genus name Cynoglossum comes from the Greek words "cynos" (dog) and "glossa" (tongue), referring to the rough, tongue-shaped leaves.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is described as a coarse, hairy plant.
Considerations for Children
- Gathering comfrey in the wild may be dangerous as the early spring leaves somewhat resemble the deadly leaves of nightshade.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cynoglossum virginianum L.
- Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
- Common Names: Wild comfrey, blue houndstongue, blue hound's tongue, giant forget-me-not, wild comphise
- Synonym: There is mention of Cynoglossum virginianum L. var. boreale (Fernald) Cooperrider, referred to as Northern Wild Comfrey.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America and the United States.
- Specifically found in Northeast North America along streams, lakes, and other bodies of water.
- Rare in Florida, found only in Gadsden and Liberty Counties in and around Torreya State Park.
Morphological Characteristics
- An erect, unbranched perennial growing to about 2 feet tall.
- Described as a coarse, hairy plant.
- Has rough, fine hair on its leaves and stem.
- Leaves are simple, entire, and have an alternate arrangement. Large basal leaves are soft, hairy, and elliptical with long petioles. Leaves on the stem are smaller.
- Flowers range from white to blue/blue-violet, with short-tubular flowers having 5 lobes, resembling forget-me-nots. They grow on elongating racemes of about 1/3 inch each.
- Begins growing oval leaves in a basal rosette during spring.
Quirky Facts
- One source mentions that the spread of wild comfrey along roadside hedgerows is sometimes attributed to gypsies who fed the leaves to their horses.
- The genus name, Cynoglossum, is derived from Greek words meaning "dog's tongue," referencing the shape and texture of the leaves.
Traditional Uses
- Historically used as a medicinal species.
- Nineteenth-century herbalists suggested it could be a substitute for common comfrey.
- Comfrey leaves are used as a main ingredient in a healing salve for wounds.
Further Information
- Hertel, G. (2014). Wild Comfrey, Gordon Natural Area.
- www.mass.gov/nhesp