This commonly cultivated Eurasian plant ("comfrey") sometimes persists in old gardens, and it was reportedly naturalized in some places early after settlement (Short & Peter 1835). However, it has not become established in the wild (Gm, M). Although considered medicinal for varied purposes (with high allantoin content) and used as forage for some livestock, this species--and several other Boraginaceae--can become toxic for generalist herbivores due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Culvenor 2000, Stewart & Steenkamp 2001, Roeder et al. 2015). Related Eurasian species that are sometimes cultivated, but unknown to escape in Ky., are the perennial ornamental, Anthusa officianalis L. (alkanet), and the annual culinary herb, Borago officinalis L. (borage).