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

Once your comfrey becomes established, you’ll have a lifetime source of natural fertilizer.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Pick four or five fresh comfrey leaves and place them in a blender.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Three to five times a year, about once a month throughout spring and summer, I harvest the comfrey, cutting it down to about 3 inches.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 24, 2022

Alyce turned back again for the cottage, gathering comfrey leaves and raspberries and the tiny wild strawberries in her skirt as she went.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman