Prickly Comfrey
Symphytum asperumfam. Boraginaceae
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Pl. 88B3 — Symphytum asperum
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IOverview
Overview
Prickly Comfrey (Symphytum asperum) is a perennial herb belonging to the Boraginaceae family and can be found in Iran, North Caucasus, Transcaucasus, and Turkey. This plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH of 7.5–8 and grows up to 1.5 meters tall. Known for its edible and medicinal uses, Prickly Comfrey is valued both as an ornamental and for its leaves and shoots which can be consumed. One distinctive feature sets it apart: its prickles on the stems, making handling a bit challenging.
Quick answers
What is Prickly Comfrey?
Prickly Comfrey (Symphytum asperum) is a perennial herb belonging to the Boraginaceae family and can be found in Iran, North Caucasus, Transcaucasus, and Turkey. This plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH of 7.5–8 and grows up to 1.
What is Prickly Comfrey used for?
Traditionally used for topical & skin. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Prickly Comfrey
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Prickly Comfrey appears in herbal sources around traditional skin-care routines, often as a topical preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Prickly Comfrey support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Prickly Comfrey thrives in moist, well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It prefers a slightly alkaline pH of 7.5–8 and requires moderate to high light conditions. This perennial herb grows up to 1.5 meters tall and is hardy in temperate regions from USDA zones 4-8. For propagation, gardeners can use division or seed sowing. Harvest the edible leaves and shoots for culinary uses.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.5 m tall
Soil pH
7.5–8
For first-time growers
How to grow Prickly Comfrey for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Prickly Comfrey in a sunny spot and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
A small Prickly Comfrey plant or seeds, garden gloves, a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy with a pH of 7.5–8. A well-draining garden bed or large pot works best.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants directly into the garden or start seeds indoors and transplant them later.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Prune dead leaves and stems to encourage new growth. Mulch around the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to promote a bushier plant and prevent self-seeding.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too heavy soil, not providing enough light, neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: Gum, Tea
Other uses:BiomassCompostGum
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
4 native · 26 introduced
Distribution
4 native · 26 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 4 native· 26 introduced
Europe5 regions
native (1)Russia
introduced (4)AustriaBelarusBelgiumRussia
Asia2 regions
native (2)IranTurkey
Americas1 region
introduced (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Transcaucasus
introduced:Connecticut, British Columbia, California, Kirgizstan, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick, New York, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Prince Edward I., Québec, Saskatchewan, Tadzhikistan
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Boraginaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Boraginaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 88b35905-9b82-4c1f-8142-7eba26e1a9dd
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