226 SYMPHYTUM. [ci A'iS V. onMR r. 



small, not much longer than the calyx, the tube short, lim1) of five 

 rounded segments, of a beautiful purplish blue, equal, erect. Stamens 

 five, on short filaments from the mouth of the tube, alternating with 

 small pale protuberances. Stigma obtuse bifid. Fruit four, smooth- 

 Nuts obovate, pointed and keeled, large, not spreading, as in the 

 above, but closely converging around the pistil attached to their base. 



Habitat. — Sea coast, amongst sand and loose stones; rare; in the 

 North of England ; Wales ; in the North and West of Scotland plen- 

 iful; and between Balbriggan and Skerries; at the Murrow of 

 Wicklovv ; near Dindrum, county of Down, Ireland. — Flora Hihernicu. 



Perennial ; dowering from May to July. 



This interesting plant appears to l)e known only in the northern 

 countries, " extending to the Arctic regions." It is of a peculiar habit, 

 spreading itself over the loose sand and stones within the influence of 

 the saline atmosphere of the sea, out of which it does not appear as 

 though it would flourish ; and the pedestrian, in his rambles, placing 

 one of the leaves in his mouth, may fancy he is in possession of an 

 oyster, from the flavour which it imparts. The synonyms of this 

 plant are very numerous, from the various opinions entertained by 

 Botanists as to its genus. 



GENUS IV. SYMPHYTUM Linn. Comfrey. 



Nat. Ord. Boragin'EjE. De Cand. 



Gen. Char. Calyx five-cleft. Corolla cylindrical, swollen upwards, 

 limb with five short round lobes, its orifice closed with subulate 

 connivant scales. — Named from £7u/-t(pi/'nr, to unite ; so called be- 

 cause it was supposed to close and unite the edges of wounds. 



1. »S'. officina'lc, Linn. (Fig. 293.) coimnon Comfrey. Stem branched 

 winged above, leaves ovate lanceolate, decurrent, the lower on foot- 

 stalks, the upper sessile. 



English Botany, t. 817. — English Flora, vol. i. p. 264. — Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 100. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 164. 



Hoot tapering, branched, fleshy, externally black. Stem from one 

 to three feet high, succulent, branched, especially above, much winged 

 from the base of the decurrent leaves, clothed with hairs, mostly point- 

 ing downwards. Leaves numerous, the lower and radical ones ovate, 

 lanceolate, on footstalks, the upi)er and floral ones lanceolate, sessile, 

 all decurrant (especially above), more or less waved on the edges, and 

 clothed with hairs, spreading or pointing downwards. Inflore.tcence 

 terminating the branches, in pairs of incurved one-sided racemes. 

 Flowers on short footstalks, very rough, and hairy ; as is the calyx of 

 five lanceolate erect segments. Corolla cylindrical, its tube longer 



