Tuesday 6 July 2021

 

  I saw this stand of Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) growing along a damp ditch- this Comfrey prefers moist conditions. I assume this is S. officinale but as I noted in my last entry it's a genus that hybridises freely.



The flowers of Common Comfrey run from pale blues to deep purples. This stand has a bluish tinge on the whole but even among the same colony there was considerable variation.


 

Some flowers were almost white with a pinkish tinge or only a hint of blue.

 

Whereas some were flushed with darker tints.


 

 Like some other members of the plant family Boraginaceae the flowers of Common Comfrey morph through shades of red and blue as they mature. Perhaps this creates a varied palette from plant to plant?