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Glite Dictionary
Symphytum officinale

Symphytum officinale

9.9
A plant that lives for many years with small white, pink, or purple flowers, often called comfrey
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Symphytum officinale
  • Symphytum officinale, commonly known as comfrey, is often used in herbal remedies for its ability to promote healing.

Examples

  • The rapid spread of Symphytum officinale has caused it to be regarded as a weed in some parts of North America.

  • Symphytum officinale is often grown in herbal gardens for its medicinal properties.

  • Researchers are studying the potential uses of Symphytum officinale root extract in natural medicine.

  • The Symphytum officinale plant is known for its healing properties.

  • Many herbalists recommend Symphytum officinale for treating wounds.

  • Many people cultivate Symphytum officinale in their gardens for its attractive flowers and medicinal benefits.

  • The leaves of Symphytum officinale are sometimes applied topically to relieve pain and inflammation.

Synonyms

comfrey
vsSymphytum officinale
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A plant with hairy leaves and bell shaped flowers used in herbal medicine and as groundcover

focuses on identity as a European perennial often naturalized as a weed
common comfrey
vsSymphytum officinale
7.9

A plant that lives for many years with bell-shaped white, pink, or purple flowers and often spreads like a weed

is the botanical name rather than the common name
cumfrey
vsSymphytum officinale
  • Archaic
9.9

A plant that lives for many years with large hairy leaves, used to cover shaded ground

is specific to Europe and noted for small coloured flowers and weediness

Surface Forms

Symphytum officinale singular
Symphytum officinales plural
Symphytum officinalis singular

Morphology

Symphytum + officinale

The name is compositional: 'Symphytum' is the plant genus and 'officinale' is a species epithet indicating medicinal use, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer this refers to a medicinal plant species. While the specific common name 'comfrey' might not be recoverable, the basic meaning (a medicinal/herbal plant of the Symphytum genus) is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Symphytum officinale may come from old words: symphytum meaning 'grow together' and officinale meaning 'used in medicine'. People used comfrey to help bones heal, so the name gives a simple picture of a medicinal plant that 'brings bones together'.