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Epimedium grandiflorum - C.Morren.

Barrenwort

Author	C.Morren.	Botanical references	58, 200, 280
Family	Berberidaceae	Genus	Epimedium
Synonyms	Epimedium macranthum - C.Morren.&Decne. Epimedium violaceum - C. Morren
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - Japan, Manchuria.
Habitat	Moist deciduous woodlands in the hills[187, 280]. Calcareous rocks in moist woodland[58]. (This entry refers to sub-species E. grandiflorum higoense. Shimau.)
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.35m by 0.3m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Young plant and young leaves - cooked[105, 179]. Soaked and then boiled[177]. (This suggests that the leaves are bitter and need to be soaked in order to remove the bitterness.)

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antiasthmatic; Antibacterial; Antirheumatic; Antitussive; Aphrodisiac; Hypoglycaemic; Tonic; Vasodilator.

The aerial parts of the plant are antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antirheumatic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, hypoglycaemic, tonic and vasodilator. Its use lowers blood sugar levels[116, 176]. It is used in the treatment of impotence, seminal emissions, lumbago, arthritis, numbness and weakness of the limbs, hypertension and chronic bronchitis[176]. It has an action on the genitals similar to the male sex hormone and can increase the weight of the prostate gland and seminal vesicle, it has increased copulation in animals and increases the secretion of semens[176]. The leaves are used as an aphrodisiac[218]. Administered orally, the leaf extract increases the frequency of copulation in animals[218].

Other Uses

Ground cover.

A good ground cover plant[200].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any fertile humus-rich soil[200], preferring a moist but well-drained peaty loam[1, 280]. Requires a lime-free soil[280]. Grows best in the light dappled shade of a woodland[200, 280]. Plants can succeed in the dry shade of trees[233]. A shallow-rooting plant, the rhizomes creeping just below the soil and the finer roots occupying the top 30cm of the soil[280]. A clump-forming species, the rhizomes making only short new growth each year, it needs to be divided every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain vigour[280]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187], though the flowers in spring can be damaged by late frosts[233]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are several named varieties[187]. It grows well in the rock garden or wild garden[1]. Plants are self-sterile and so more than one clone is required for cross-fertilization in order for seed to be produced. Plants will often hybridise with other species growing nearby[280]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer[200, 280]. Sow stored seed as early as possible in the year in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter[K]. Plant them out in mid to late summer[K]. Division, best carried out in August to September according to one report[280], in late spring according to another[200]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Cuttings in late summer[200].

Cultivars

There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[58] Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[116] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986
A small booklet packed with information.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[280] Stearn. W. T. The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2002 ISBN 1 84246 039 0
An excellent book covering all the herbaceous members of the Berberidaceae. Gives cultivation details as well as detailed botanical descriptions. Very well illustrated with photographs, paintings and line drawings.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Epimedium grandiflorum

Mr Nazim Momoniat Wed Jun 25 2008

If this herb increases the weight of the prostate gland, then 1) On cessation of its use, will the weight return to normal. 2) Is the weight increase likely to be detremental in the future, especially in middle age and beyond in relation to prostate problems for men.

Epimedium grandiflorum

sagie Sun May 3 2009

Hi, do you know where can i by seeds of Epimedium grandiflorum thanks Sagie

Epimedium grandiflorum

Jonesy Mon Jul 20 2009

I am also curious where i can find seeds for this ?

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