Native Plant Alternatives to Symphytum officinale (Common Comfrey)

Symphytum officinale, commonly known as Common Comfrey or True Comfrey, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family. It’s native to Europe and Asia and is known for its medicinal uses.

Common Comfrey can be aggressive in the right conditions and has naturalized in many areas outside of its native range. This is primarily due to its deep taproot system and ability to propagate from small root fragments.

Once established, Comfrey can be difficult to eradicate and may crowd out other plants. It’s often a problem in disturbed areas like roadsides, pastures, and along streams, where it can form dense stands.

Common Comfrey is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.