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Fri, May 20, 11 at 16:31
| doing some volunteer weeding at friends's house, no one recognized this plant, not even the owner....please help |
Here is a link that might be useful: mystery plant
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by coolplantsguy z6 Ontario (My Page) on Fri, May 20, 11 at 16:57
| Looks a little bit like a Symphytum, but I'm not sure. Almost certainly from the Borage family. |
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- Posted by nutmeg4061 5b (My Page) on Fri, May 20, 11 at 17:31
| looks just like my comfrey, a plant that cannot be killed, lol. I love the little flowers. I have my plant surrounded in black plastic (under mulch) which seems to be the only way to keep it from spreading. I've had it for at least five years and it has stayed put this way. Google "comfrey plant" for more. |
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- Posted by prairiegirlz5 (My Page) on Fri, May 20, 11 at 19:22
| Did you know that comfrey has medicinal use? It is used to relieve pain and bruising/swelling by applying a cool compress. |
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- Posted by nutmeg4061 5b (My Page) on Fri, May 20, 11 at 21:39
| it is also great for fertilizer, I've read. add the leaves to your compost pile. it has many "old timey" uses, as well. friends and myself have planted it in the wrong spot and wow...good luck getting rid of it. methods that finally DID work include...digging two feet down, pouring plant killer in the hole, filling hole with gravel THEN black plastic. yikes! |
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- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Sat, May 21, 11 at 9:05
| Cerinthe |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Sat, May 21, 11 at 10:03
| Definitely comfrey, Symphythum officinale. In the right place, a nice garden plant but difficult to eradicate if not wanted - has a ferocious taproot. I'd careful about using it for medicinal purposes - it contains alkaloids that can lead to liver problems and is considered toxic to livestock. |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Sat, May 21, 11 at 10:08
| Sorry - that's Symphytum, not Symphythum. |
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| "I'd careful about using it for medicinal purposes - it contains alkaloids that can lead to liver problems and is considered toxic to livestock." It has been used as tea in the past, but these days I think it is typically used externally much the same way as Arnica. You can find it listed in salve/ointment ingredients for livestock and pets. |
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| There's a discussion of Comfrey over on the herbs forum. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Comfrey
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