Japanese name: コンフリー Scientific name:Symphytum × uplandicum
[Overview]
A perennial that is a hybrid between Hire-hariso and Oo-hariso.
It has thick roots.
The whole plant is covered with white hairs.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves, and the stem leaves are simple, alternate and lanceolate.
Cymes at the top of the stem bear purple to white flowers that hang downward.
The corolla is tubular with 5 shallow lobes at the tip.
[Uses]
It was formerly used as food and as a health food, but it is now the subject of notices advising people to avoid consuming it because it causes liver damage.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or root cuttings.
It prefers sun to partial shade and slightly moist, water-retentive soil.
If the conditions suit it, it grows well even when left alone.
Even for plants in the ground, water in midsummer when the soil surface dries so that it does not become too dry, and do so in the morning or evening when temperatures are low.
Fertilize sparingly; if base fertilizer is applied, none is particularly needed.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
