Symphytum tuberosum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ffc277b713048512317 |
| Scientific name | Symphytum tuberosum |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 136 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
The safety of Symphytum species has led to restrictions in many regions, and it is sold mainly as a topical preparation; consequently, modern sources note that teas and internal use are discouraged (EMA, 2014; BfDI, 2023).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Fresh tuberous roots harvested for culinary use.
- Dried tuberous roots, which can be stored for extended periods.
- Coarse flour milled from dried roots, used as a thickening and binding ingredient in food formulations.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- The edible tuberous roots of Symphytum tuberosum are collected in late summer after the above‑ground foliage has died back. After thorough washing, the roots are boiled for 20–30 minutes or roasted until tender; they can be consumed whole, sliced into salads, or incorporated into soups and stews. The cooked roots have a mildly nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a pleasant aroma. When dried, the roots become brittle and are milled into an off‑white, starchy flour. This flour is employed as a thickening agent in sauces, gravies and purees, and can partially replace wheat flour in baked goods where a neutral taste is desired. In some regional cuisines the flour also serves as a binding agent in vegetarian patties or as a base for gluten‑free doughs. The roots retain their carbohydrate content after drying, providing a convenient source of starch for food manufacturers and home cooks.
Properties relevant to use:
- The tuberous roots are rich in carbohydrates, principally starch, which makes up the bulk of the dry weight. The starch is readily extractable with water and exhibits typical tuber‑starch behavior, forming viscous pastes when heated and yielding firm gels upon cooling. The starch granules are relatively uniform in size and display good water‑binding capacity, contributing to the smooth texture of thickened foods. No significant lignified or fibrous tissue is present in the edible portion, resulting in a clean, neutral flavor profile suitable for a range of culinary applications. The high starch content and neutral taste make the flour especially useful in gluten‑free formulations and as a general thickening agent.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Symphytum mediterraneum | W.D.J.Koch | Syn. Fl. Germ. Helv. 1: 500 (1837) |
| Symphytum minus | Bubani | Fl. Pyren. 1: 502 (1897) |
| Symphytum leonhardtianum | Pugsley | J. Bot. 69: 95 (1931) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | tuberous comfrey |
| English | comfrey |
| Arabic | شاغة درنية |
| Bulgarian | грудесто зарастличе |
| Catalan | consolda menor |
| Czech | kostival hlíznatý |
| Welsh | cyfardwf glorog |
| German | knolliger beinwell |
| German | knoten-beinwell |
| German | knollige beinwell |
| German | knotige wallwurz |
| German | knotiger beinwell |
| Basque | zolda-belar txiki |
| Finnish | keltaraunioyrtti |
| French | consoude tubéreuse |
| French | consoude à tubercules |
| Upper Sorbian | tołste kosćadło |
| Hungarian | gumós nadálytő |
| Dutch | knolsmeerwortel |
| Polish | żywokost bulwiasty |
| Slovak | kostihoj hľuznatý |
| Swedish | gul vallört |
| Turkish | yumrulu karakafes otu |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Symphytum tuberosum subsp. nodosum | (Schur) Soó | Acta Geobot. Hung. 4: 192 1941 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Start at 20°C; if no germination occurs within 3 months, cool seeds to 4°C for 1-2 months, then return to 20°C. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Western Asia
- Turkey
-
Western Asia
-
Europe click to expand
-
Eastern Europe
- Belarus
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Poland
- Switzerland
-
Northern Europe
- Great Britain
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Romania
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
-
Southwestern Europe
- Baleares
- France
- Spain
-
Eastern Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000432225 |
| UNII | 9MGC702WRJ |
| USDA Plants | SYTU |
| Tropicos | 4000092 |
| INPN | 125364 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:120840-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2475643 |
| PFAF | Symphytum tuberosum |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1036108 |
| Observations.org | 21041 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 256504 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000003992 |
| Nature Serve | 2.151050 |
| IPNI | 120840-1 |
| iNaturalist | 131625 |
| GBIF | 2926065 |
| Freebase | /m/063_ltn |
| EPPO | SYMTU |
| EOL | 582580 |
| USDA GRIN | 435078 |
| Wikipedia | Symphytum_tuberosum |
| CMAUP | NPO9866 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives | |||||
| (7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl)methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-[1-(2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)ethyl]butanoate | 78410077 | Click to see | 381.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| [(7S,8R)-7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl (2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-[(1R)-1-[(E)-2-methylbut-2-enoyl]oxyethyl]butanoate | 162984847 | Click to see | 381.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| [7-(2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylbutanoate | 10627 | Click to see CC=C(C)C(=O)OC1CCN2C1C(=CC2)COC(=O)C(C(C)O)(C(C)(C)O)O | 397.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| [7-[(E)-2-methylbut-2-enoyl]oxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylbutanoate | 5376265 | Click to see CC=C(C)C(=O)OC1CCN2C1C(=CC2)COC(=O)C(C(C)O)(C(C)(C)O)O | 397.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Echimidine | 5281729 | Click to see CC=C(C)C(=O)OC1CCN2C1C(=CC2)COC(=O)C(C(C)O)(C(C)(C)O)O | 397.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Biphenols | |||||
| Euphorbetin | 5317297 | Click to see C1=CC(=O)OC2=C1C(=C(C(=C2)O)O)C3=C(C(=CC4=C3C=CC(=O)O4)O)O | 354.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isoeuphorbetin | 71438018 | Click to see C1=CC(=O)OC2=C(C(=C(C=C21)O)O)C3=C(C(=CC4=C3C=CC(=O)O4)O)O | 354.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes | |||||
| Heneicosane | 12403 | Click to see | 296.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| Hentriacontane | 12410 | Click to see | 436.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tricosane | 12534 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC | 324.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| 1-Tricosanol | 18431 | Click to see | 340.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (2S,3S,4R,4aS,8aR)-3,4a,8,8-tetramethyl-4-[(2E)-3-methylpenta-2,4-dienyl]-2,4,5,6,7,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-2,3-diol | 162949319 | Click to see CC(=CCC1C2(CCCC(C2CC(C1(C)O)O)(C)C)C)C=C | 306.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| [(1'R,2R,3'E,5'R,7'S,11'R,12'R,13'S,14'S)-1',11'-diacetyloxy-3',6',6',14'-tetramethyl-2'-oxospiro[oxirane-2,10'-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-ene]-13'-yl] 2-phenylacetate | 10626539 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)CC3=CC=CC=C3)C(C4(CCC5C(C5(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)CO4)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 552.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1'R,2R,3'E,5'S,7'S,11'R,12'R,13'S,14'S)-1',11'-diacetyloxy-3',6',6',14'-tetramethyl-2'-oxospiro[oxirane-2,10'-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-ene]-13'-yl] 2-phenylacetate | 100933326 | Click to see | 552.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,3E,5R,7S,10E,12S,13S,14S)-1-acetyloxy-10-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadeca-3,10-dienyl] (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate | 44241674 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C=CC3=CC=CC=C3)C=C(CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 548.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,3E,5R,7S,9E,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-10-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadeca-3,9-dienyl] benzoate | 44241675 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(C(=CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 580.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,3E,5R,7S,9S,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-13-benzoyloxy-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-10-methylidene-2-oxo-9-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-enyl] benzoate | 45270942 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(C(=C)C(CC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)OC(=O)C5=CC=CC=C5)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 642.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,3E,5S,7S,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-10-methylidene-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-enyl] pyridine-3-carboxylate | 100933329 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CN=CC=C3)C(C(=C)CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 523.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,5R,7S,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-10-methylidene-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-enyl] benzoate | 85364164 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(C(=C)CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 522.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Diacetyl benzoyl lathyrol | 10577938 | Click to see | 522.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| euphorbia factor L1 | 11238221 | Click to see | 552.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Euphorbia factor L10 | 11754671 | Click to see | 474.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Euphorbia factor L8 | 10697375 | Click to see | 523.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Euphorbiasteroid | 15940183 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)CC3=CC=CC=C3)C(C4(CCC5C(C5(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)CO4)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 552.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lathyrol | 5281376 | Click to see | 334.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Tigliane and ingenane diterpenoids | |||||
| Ingenol | 442042 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ingenol 3-hexadecanoate | 56841025 | Click to see | 586.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids | |||||
| (3S,4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aR,14aS,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-ol | 11876268 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aR,14aS,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-one | 11877465 | Click to see | 424.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,3aS,5aR,5bR,7aR,9S,11aR,11bS,13aR,13bR)-3a-(hydroxymethyl)-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol | 11870460 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)CO | 442.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| (3R,8R,9R,10S,13R,14R,17S)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 162965363 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| (3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 11870456 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Tyrosine and derivatives | |||||
| Levodopa | 6047 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1CC(C(=O)O)N)O)O | 197.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| (2R,3S,4R,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(2R,3S,6R)-6-hydroxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl]oxyoxane-3,4,5-triol | 162962139 | Click to see CC1C(CCC(O1)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 294.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-(6-hydroxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl)oxyoxane-3,4,5-triol | 162962138 | Click to see CC1C(CCC(O1)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 294.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides / Hexoses | |||||
| beta-D-GALACTOPYRANOSE | 439353 | Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O)O | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| Beta-D-Glucose | 64689 | Click to see | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| beta-D-Mannopyranose | 439680 | Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O)O | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Oligosaccharides | |||||
| ((2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-6-(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethoxy)-5-hydroxy-2-(((2S,3S,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)oxymethyl)-4-((2R,3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxyoxan-3-yl) (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 44429857 | Click to see | 786.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones | |||||
| 16-Hentriacontanone | 94741 | Click to see | 450.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94343-7 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Coumarin glycosides | |||||
| Esculin | 5281417 | Click to see C1=CC(=O)OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O | 340.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 6,7-dihydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Esculetin | 5281416 | Click to see | 178.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7,8-dihydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Daphnetin | 5280569 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C2=C1C=CC(=O)O2)O)O | 178.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-3-O-glucuronides | |||||
| Kaempferol 3-O-glucuronide | 5318759 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |