Wordless Wednesday: Tree Frog

Wordless Wednesday: Tree Frog

Wild Comfrey

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)

A relatively large native perennial with a small, pale blue flower usually found in open woods. The USDA distribution map indicates wild comfrey is found throughout Canada and central/eastern United States. However, in many of the northeastern states C. virginiauum varies from Endangered to Presumed Extirpated. The heaviest concentration are found mainly in the Mid-South. We have plenty here in the Ozarks.

"The genus name Cynoglossum is from the Greek "cynos", of a dog, and "glossa", tongue and refers to the rough, tongue-shaped leaf. The European Hound's-tongue, a close relative, was believed in ancient times to heal the bite of dogs and to keep dogs from barking. Our native wild comfrey has been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes." (New York Natural Heritage Program)

There is disagreement about whether this plant actually has medicinal properties or with it was simply incorrectly associated with Old World comfrey. According to the author of 2bn The Wild: "Nineteenth century herbalist suggested that Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum) could be a substitute for Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) which is the Old World Comfrey long used for treating wounds and internally for digestive disorders, respiratory infections and as a mild sedative. Pyrrolixidine one of the active substances may cause liver damage it taken in large doses over time. Today some herbalist seem to completely confuse the Wild Comfrey of the U. S. with the Comfrey of Europe and Asia. I can find no scientific data to suggest that they may have the same properties. The more closely related Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) was also an Old World plant that was used similarly but there is no evidence of its effectiveness."

"Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is a European species introduced here and now weedy in this country. It is larger and more leafy with reddish purple flowers."

Wild Comfrey

Oxford, Mississippi

Double Decker Art Festival in Oxford, Mississippi

Over the weekend, Jo and I participated in a Saturday only art fair on the square in Oxford, MS. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get many photos, except for a couple of quick crowd shots. It was still dark when we arrived in downtown Oxford to begin setting up and it was dark again by the time we got everything packed up and loaded. In between, we were too busy to allow any time for roaming the festival and/or taking photos -- and that's very good.

Oxford, Mississippi