Symphytum L.
Perennial, usually hispid herbs. Basal lvs with petiole long and welldefined; cauline Ivs sometimes sessile. Infl. of short, ebracteate terminal cymes. Calyx 5-lobed, often divided nearly to base, accrescent. Corolla tube cylindric in lower 1/2, tubular-campanulate or funnelform above; limb of 5 short lobes; scales present, usually with papillate margins. Stamens included, inserted around middle of tube. Style exserted; stigma very small. Nutlets ovoid, erect or curved, usually rugose or verruculose, occasionally smooth; base concave with thickened collar.
c. 25 spp., Europe, W Asia. Naturalised spp. 2, and 1 hybrid.
| 1. *S. asperum | 3. *S. ×uplandicum | 2. *S. officinale |
|---|---|---|
| Uppermost lvs sub-sessile or with short pertiole; base not or scarcely continued downwards as a wing. | Uppermost lvs sessile, with base continued downwards as a wing; wing usually narrow, present at least for a short way down stem. | Uppermost lvs sessile, with base continued downwards as a wing; wing broad, present down the length of the internode below. |
| Calyx lobes lanceolate, usually subacute. | Calyx lobes usually linear-lanceolate, acuminate, occasionally lanceolate. | Calyx lobes linear-lanceolate, acuminate. |
| Corolla ± purple, often drying blue. | Corolla pink or light purple, drying deeper purple or bluish purple. | Corolla pale pink, occasionally upper ½ creamy white, drying purplish. |
| Filament width usually < that of anthers, except at base. | Filament width variable. | Filament width = another width or almost so. |
