NEN Gallery

Comfrey was used in medieval times to set bones. It was grated into a sludge and packed around the bone - its name comes from the Latin conferre which means bring together. It was also given for back ache and used to make a cough syrup. It can also be boiled like spinach and eaten. It has long petal tubes. Flowers may be white, cream, purple or pink but are always the same colour on the same plant. It usually flowers May - June. It is a tall branched plant with hairs on its stem and leaves. It grows by roadsides and in damp places. Picture taken 3rd May at Maulden, Bedfordshire. For more pictures of Common Comfrey - see April's plant diary.