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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Of the 25 or so species of Comfrey at least nine have been
grown in our gardens but the only one easily obtained to-day is
S. officinale or its hybrids. These easily become rampant and are
difficult to keep within bounds as small pieces of their brittle roots
soon give rise to new plants. The smaller ones are more easily
kept in check and are not very particular about soil, drainage or
light and seem well suited to cultivation on the rather heavy,
damp soils of so much of Essex. Their propagation is easy and is
best accomplished by dividing the roots in spring or autumn and
they are quite successful as cut flowers. New blooms appear as
the cymes unfold, but the corollas are inclined to fall easily.
It has become clear that most of the existing records of this
interesting group of plants will have to be re-examined and new
distribution maps made, particularly in order to separate S.
officinale from S. x uplandicum. It would be a great help, there-
fore, if recorders would state the colour of the specimen and give
the name of their flora; and voucher specimens are always wel-
come ! I have appended a key to the different species which I
hope will prove useful. In a future issue I hope to present a truer
picture of the distribution of the several species in Essex and also
to describe their introduction into the county. It would be a great
help if members could send me any information bearing upon the
subject, such as 19th century seed catalogues, or descriptions of
the gardens of the landed gentry, like Bacon's "Of Gardens".
Simplified Key to Wild and Cultivated Species of Comfrey
Stems much branched; roots thick but without tubers; lowest
leaves largest.
Calyx teeth longer than calyx tube.
Leaves have "wings" that run down the stem; more or
less lanceolate.
Flowers whitish; anthers seen from the front appear
longer than the filaments; wings run from node to
node; hairs stiffish and not swollen at the base ......
S. officinale*
Flowers blue; anthers appear shorter than filaments;
wings peter out between nodes; hairs bristly and
have swollen bases ........................... S. asperum
Flowers purple; other characters variable, mixed
and intermediate between those of S. officinale and
S. asperum............................... S. x uplandicum
Leaves not running down the stem; more or less ovate,
lowest more-or-less cordate ..................... S. tauricum
Calyx teeth shorter than calyx tube.
Blue flowers ....................................... S. caucasicum
White flowers ....................................... S. orientale
*Certain coloured forms occur occasionally and these colours should be
quoted when sending in records. When in doubt voucher speci-
mens should be sent to Messrs Sandford or Jermyn.