comfrey

American  

[kuhm-free] / ˈkʌm fri /

noun

plural

comfreys

1. any coarse Eurasian plant belonging to the genus Symphytum, of the borage family, as the widely cultivated S. officinale, having hairy, lance-shaped leaves and drooping clusters of small, white, rose-colored, or purplish flowers.

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comfrey British  

/ ˈkʌmfrɪ /

noun

1. any hairy Eurasian boraginaceous plant of the genus Symphytum, having blue, purplish-pink, or white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of comfrey

1275–1325; Middle English cumfirie, conferye < Anglo-French cumfirie, Old French confire < Medieval Latin *confervia for Latin conferva conferva

Example Sentences

He said herbs with bigger leaves generally do better in lower-light conditions so he recommends things such as basil, mint and Italian flat-leaf parsley, borage and comfrey.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2023

The easiest way of all to use comfrey is to spread cut leaves on the soil alongside growing plants.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Adding comfrey leaves to your compost will add to the nutrient content as well as giving a boost to the composting process.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Applying comfrey to the skin however is perfectly safe.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

The women who worked for her stopped concocting tinctures and bottling oils and instead made vats of salve—a new recipe, of comfrey, lobelia and plantain, that Mother had concocted specifically for my father.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover