Symphytum officinale and its relatives are perennials of the borage family, sharing several ornamental features. They have large, usually broad, and stiffly hairy basal leaves and produce tall, leafy flower stems. The flowers are arranged in scorpioid clusters (curled at the ends and unrolling as they develop). They are tubular, often bell-shaped, and variously colored.
The old-fashioned comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is known for its traditional medicinal uses, until it was indicated as a possible carcinogen. A photograph of a flower cluster is shown here.