Wild comfrey

Andersonglossum virginianum (formerly Cynoglossum virginianum) is in the Boraginaceae family. The name was recently changed based on DNA sequencing that separated this plant from Old World Cynoglossum species.

The previous botanical name, 'Cynoglossum', is Greek for 'Hounds tongue' and still aptly describes the shape of this plants large basal leaves. The specific epithet, 'Virginianum' refers to the location where this plant was first studied.

In researching the common name, Wild comfrey, I found a nice explanation on the Missouri flora website, "The common name "wild comfrey" reflects that fact that herbalists have often confused this plant with true comfrey, Symphytum officinale, or have believed it to be a substitute for that Old World plant. Preparations made from the root have been used in traditional medicine to treat sores, itching, cancer, and respiratory infections. Cancer, gonorrhea, and genital itching were also thought to be helped by drinking a tea made from the roots. In more recent times the leaves were smoked like tobacco. However, many species in the genus contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are liver toxins."

Other common names include Hounds tongue and Giant forget-me-not.

Flowers of light blue adorn the top of a single, tall stem that rises well above the fuzzy leaves of Wild comfrey. The stem terminates into coiled branches known as cymes. The flowers begin as soft white to pinkish buds that transition to pale blue as they open. Each flower has 5, fused petals with highly pubescent green calyces.

A central, raised whitish area is formed from the 5 corolla lobes at the center of the flower. At the base of the flower lobes is a dark throat where the 5 stamens are mostly hidden. The style is below the stamens and not visible.

Seed pods from the first flowers begin developing before the plant has completed its flowering. The spiky fruits are schizocarps containing 4 nutlets. Initially green, the nutlets turn brown when ripe.

Wild comfrey arises from a woody taproot in early spring. The large, hairy leaves are unique and easily recognized in the woodland. They are soft to the touch, grouped close together and lanceolate.

Mature plants send up a flowering stem. The stem is hirsute and rises to about 2 feet. Stem leaves are closely spaced at the base and further apart along the upper stem. Upper stem leaves are smaller than those at the base. The stem terminates into what is termed a scorpioid cyme, meaning the flowers occur in a curved cluster with each stalk terminating in a single flower.

I have to admit it is a bit frustrating that my research didn't uncover much information regarding pollinators and insect visitors of Wild comfrey. My own documented observations include two bee species (Blue orchard bee and one unidentified bee), a Duskywing butterfly (Horace or Juvinal?)and the Acmaeodera tubulus beetle. Hopefully, I will be able to document more insect visitors in the coming spring.

Wild comfrey is found in mesic forests of mixed hardwood, open rocky woods and along streambanks. It prefers rich soil with minimal competition and is often found on slopes.

In Arkansas, Cynoglossum virginianum has a Conservation Value of 6, meaning 'Typically matrix taxa in intact, stable habitats, with some limited ability to respond to destabilizing forces and repopulate areas from which they have been extirpated'.

Natureserve shows Wild comfrey is Possibly Extirpated in Connecticut, Critically Imperiled in Maine and New York and Imperiled in Delaware. In North Carolina it is Vulnerable. Pennsylvania and South Dakota have a status of Apparently Secure, with Virginia and West Virginia showing a status of Secure. All other states within its range show No Status Rank.

WIld comfrey is a host plant, and the only documented host plant for the moth, Ethmia trifurcella. This moth is in the family Depressariidae.