Symphytum asperum Lepech.

Plant to c. 80 cm tall, very scabrid. Roots becoming very thick. Basal lvs with lamina very large, ovate to oblong; upper side especially densely covered with rigid, bulbous-based hairs; base cuneate to subcordate; cauline lvs similar but smaller, with the narrowly winged petiole not decurrent on stem; uppermost lvs subsessile or with short petiole. Cymes densely hispid. Calyx c. 5 mm long at anthesis; lobes accrescent, extending nearly to base, lanceolate, usually subacute, rarely obtuse. Corolla 12 - 17 mm long, light purple or purplish blue at first, becoming blue, especially when dried; lobes c. 1 mm long, rounded; scales narrowtriangular. Filament width usually < anther width except at base; anthers = or shortly projecting beyond scales. Nutlets 3–5 mm long, finely rugose or granular.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Mar.