Epimedium grandiflorum - Barrenwort

Family:	Berberidaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.35
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	E. macranthum. E. violaceum.
Range:	E. Asia - Japan, Manchuria.

Epimedium grandiflorum (Barrenwort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.35m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is quite resiliant to frost.
Barrenwort will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Barrenwort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Barrenwort prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Moist woods in the hills[187]. Calcareous rocks in moist woodland[58]. (This entry refers to sub-species E. grandiflorum higoense. Shimau.)

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any fertile humus-rich soil[200], preferring a peaty loam[1]. Grows best in semi-shade[200]. Plants can succeed in the dry shed of trees[233]. 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]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
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.)

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
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].

• Antiasthmatic - Treats asthma.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Aphrodisiac - Increases the sexual appetite.
• Hypoglycaemic - Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Vasodilator - Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer[200]. 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].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant[200].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

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].

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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