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Epimedium sagittatum - (Siebold.&Zucc.)Maxim.

Common Name Yin Yang Huo
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hillsides in damp shady bamboo groves or in cliff crevices[147]. Moist woodlands[238].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade
Epimedium sagittatum Yin Yang Huo


Epimedium sagittatum Yin Yang Huo
http://flickr.com/photos/98083017%40N00/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Epimedium sagittatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

E. sinense.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

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

References   More on Edible Uses

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.
Antirheumatic  Aphrodisiac  Carminative  Expectorant  Infertility  Kidney  Ophthalmic  Tonic  
Vasodilator

The whole plant is antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, carminative, expectorant, ophthalmic and vasodilator. Used as a kidney tonic, it also treats sterility and barrenness[147, 178, 238]. It is taken internally in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, cold or numb extremities, arthritis, lumbago, impotence, involuntary and premature ejaculation, high blood pressure and absentmindedness[238]. It should be used with some caution since in excess it can cause vomiting, dizziness, thirst and nosebleeds[238]. The plant is harvested in the growing season and dried for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good ground cover plant[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any fertile humus-rich soil[200], preferring a moist but well-drained peaty loam[1, 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]. Although the plants are hardy to at least -15°c, the young growth in spring can be killed by frosts[238]. 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]. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in Japan[58]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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 in July/August according to one report, 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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Epimedium grandiflorumBarrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Longspur EpimediumPerennial0.4 4-8 MLMHSDM233
Epimedium koreanumKorean EpimediumPerennial0.3 -  LMHSDM03 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Siebold.&Zucc.)Maxim.

Botanical References

200280

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

tim   Fri Jul 11 2008

WHere can I find seeds/plants of aceranthus sagittatum? Any suggestions? Thanks

Mr. Barnum   Fri Sep 12 2008

Greetings, Do you sell the seeds or plants? If so I am very interested in purchasing the seeds for this plant. Please advise. My contact information is [email protected]. I reside in Atlanta Ga. USA.

Mauro   Sat Nov 1 2008

Soy Venezolano y me gustaria saber si en mi País puedo encontrar esta planta o su semilla y con que otro nombre la puedo llamar. Gracias! [email protected]

Schneider,Karl B.   Sat Aug 22 2009

I'm living in the philippines,and I would like to know if the plant is triving in my country. Please inform me also where I cam buy the seeds/cuttungs locally.Thanks...

Joseph Collins   Mon Sep 14 2009

I am interested in growing this weed. I am wanting to know if there is soruce link for plants or seeds? Thank you for any help in this matter.

Alfred   Fri Nov 6 2009

Hi, Please advise how i can get the seeds ASAP i live in Nairobi. My email is [email protected] Thanks

Jack Dausend   Wed Dec 30 2009

Is this plant or the seeds available to buy in the US and if so where?

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Subject : Epimedium sagittatum  
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