![]() the base of the leaf blade is cuneate (wedge-shaped, tapers to the base with relatively straight, converging edges), or narrow.The fruits do not have thorn-like defensive structuresįinal leaf segment length (compound lvs only)įinal leaf segment length to width ratio (compound lvs only)įinal leaf segment width (compound lvs only)Īlternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem The plant has axile placentation, in which the ovules are attached where the septa of a compound ovary are united, usually on the central axis, or to the septa themselves the ovary or fruit does not have a stipe.The fruit is a schizocarp (when dry it splits into sections, each holding one or more seeds) The fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe the stamens are attached at or near the bases of the petals or tepals.The sepals do not have appendages on them The petals of the flower do not have folds or plaitsĪll the flowers have both carpels and stamens (synoecious) The petals are thin and delicate, and pigmented (colored other than green or brown) The flower includes two cycles of petal- or sepal-like structures The ovary is above the point of petal and/or sepal attachment There are five petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower The flowers are all or nearly all arrayed on one side of the inflorescence axis or branches of the inflorescence The petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube the style is narrow at the tip and unbranched.the style is knob-like at the tip, and unbranched.There are two or more ways to evenly divide the flower (the flower is radially symmetrical) The flower has a superior ovary, and lacks a hypanthium There are no cleistogamous flowers on the plan There are two or more ways to evenly divide the calyx (the calyx is radially symmetrical) As with dandelion, the root makes a palatable and non-acidic alternative to coffee once prepared, roasted until brown & brittle, and grind it into a powder.The anthers have narrow slits or furrows that run lengthwise along the anthers In spring the fresh young leaves may be used as an herb in cooked recipes, however due to their hairy nature and mildly toxic properties they are not eaten raw. In these traditional cures, the recipes make use of the leaves & roots, the former being used to speed up the healing of minor abrasions through their being applied directly to the damaged skin under a compress. Vernacular common names such as 'knitbone' reveal the healing role that tuberous comfrey and the various hybrid comfreys have played in herbal medicine throughout the ages. The North American west coast has a number of introduced S. The Isle of Skye now has a well-established and wide distribution thanks to planting, this has also occurred in Ireland. In Great Britain it is naturally less common in the south, and distribution maps show the species to be common in Scotland and present, but uncommon, throughout much of England and Wales. Symphytum tuberosum can be found throughout Europe. The stem usually remains unbranched and the leaves are distinctly veined with a clear reduction in size from top to base. ![]() ![]() The stem and leaves are clothed with soft hairs. The usual pollinators are the common carder bumble bee, honey bee, and red mason bee. The flowers themselves are a subtle pale creamy yellow, a significant characteristic for separating its identity from the purple flowered Russian Comfrey. Both the stems and leaves are softly hairy, the leaves have deep veining. Being very hardy, this plant is well able to survive northern winters. This process continues into the autumn and the young clonal plants can be seen at this time of year, whilst the parent plants leaves are rotting down. Tuberous comfrey flowers from April to June, however it also reproduces asexually, that is vegetatively, having rhizomes that allow it to spread out from the original site, colonising and competing as it grows. Species characteristics Tuberous comfrey flowers. Symphytum tuberosum, the tuberous comfrey, is a species of Symphytum in the family Boraginaceae. ![]()
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