SYMPHYTUM, COMFREY; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants. There are three species; of which the officinale, or common comfrey, is the most remarkable. This grows
grows naturally in many places of Britain on the sides of rivers and wet ditches. The roots are used in medicine, and are of a mucilaginous nature; the leaves give a grateful flavour to cakes and panadoes. Cows and sheep eat the herb; horses, goats, and swine, refuse it.