Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Longspur Epimedium

Epimedium grandiflorum

Physical Characteristics

Epimedium grandiflorum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 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 and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Japan, Manchuria.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: 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

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].

Known Hazards

None known