Symphytum tuberosum
Symphytum tuberosum
Safety & 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 Description
Symphytum tuberosum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow around 20 - 40cm tall[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. 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.