Common names for this plant is 'rough comfrey' prickly comfrey' and 'forage comfrey'. As the common names imply the leaves and stems are very hairy to the point of being spikey due to very stiff bristles. This plant comes from the Caucasus where the leaves are traditionally used to feed livestock such as pigs, rabbits and goats. Recent studies have shown that comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver damage. These alkaloids are more concentrated in the roots with less in the leaves.