Common Name:

General Information

Symphytum tuberosum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow around 20 - 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as an effective if somewhat rampant ground cover.

Known Hazards

No reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, but the following reports have been seen for Symphytum officinale.
This plant contains small quantities of a toxic alkaloid which can have a cumulative effect upon the liver. Largest concentrations are found in the roots, leaves contain higher quantities of the alkaloid as they grow older and young leaves contain almost none. Most people would have to consume very large quantities of the plant in order to do any harm, though anyone with liver problems should obviously be more cautious. In general, the health-promoting properties of the plant probably far outweigh any possible disbenefits, especially if only the younger leaves are used.

Botanical References

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Range

Europe, including Britain, south and east from Germany to Spain, southwest European.Russia, Greece and into Turkey.

Habitat

Woods, scrub and by rivers[]. Mainly in broadleaved, beech, hornbeam and oak forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Symphytum tuberosum is a fairly cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to -20°c[].
Tolerates most soils and situations but prefers a moist soil and some shade. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Plants form extensive patches, spreading by means of a creeping tuberous rhizome[].
Plants are dormant in summer[].

Edible Uses

When roasted until brown and brittle, and then finely ground, the root is used as a coffee substitute. It has a smoothness that is not found in real coffee[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A good, and sometimes rampant, ground cover plant for a shady border or woodland.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
If you have sufficient seed you can try an outdoor sowing in situ in the spring.
Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. Simply use a spade to chop off the top 7cm of root just below the soil level. The original root will regrow and you will have a number of root tops, each of which will make a new plant. These can either be potted up or planted out straight into their permanent positions.