Honey bees
Nectar value
Medium
Pollen value
Medium
Pollinator plant
Comfrey, Common comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value
Who this plant supports
Agroforestry database
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Herbaceous, Ground cover
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 1.20 m high × 0.60 m wide
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 3-9
- Moisture
- Moist
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Partial shade, Sun
Uses
- Edible parts
- Leaves, Gum, Tea
- Functions
- Biomass, Gum
- Edibility
- 3 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 5 out of 5
Young leaves, with a hairy texture and slimy when raw, are packed with minerals and can be eaten both cooked and raw. Although they are not pleasant to eat, they can be added to salads if finely chopped to avoid the hairs. The young shoots can be used as a substitute for asparagus. Older leaves can be dried and used as tea. The roots can be peeled, cut, and added to soups. They are also suitable for making tea. Finally, the roots can be roasted and used along with dandelions and chicory roots to make coffee.