White Comfrey
White Comfrey by a disused railway, Dorset
White Comfrey, in a lane, Beaminster, Dorset
Flower spikes
Anthers, scales and styles
Upper leaves
Rounded lower leaf
Leaf stalks - not running down stem
Symphytum orientale
Boraginaceae
April to May
It is found mainly in the Southeast, South and East Anglia.
It is scattered elsewhere.
See the BSBI distribution map for White Comfrey
It is a neophyte which was introduced into the UK in the 1750s
and has been known in the wild since the 1850s.
It is found in hedgerows and open woodlands, by footpaths,
lanes, roads and railways, and on waste ground.
It may be increasing.
White Comfrey is a perennial, hairy herb, growing up to 70cm.
It is the UK's only white flowered Comfrey.
Flowers are tubular (5 fused petals) and up to 9mm across.
The style is longer than the corolla and a close look shows
that there are scales and stamens inside the flower.
The sepal teeth are short and blunt.
Stem leaves are more rounded than in other comfreys and do
not run down the stem. They may be either stalked or sessile.
Previous page: Welsh Poppy - orange
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White Comfrey by a disused railway, Dorset
White Comfrey, in a lane, Beaminster, Dorset
Flower spikes
Anthers, scales and styles
Upper leaves
Rounded lower leaf
Leaf stalks - not running down stem
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