Practical
Plants

Epimedium sagittatum

a perennial member of the Epimedium genus in the family Berberidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Spread
0.4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young plant and young leaves - cooked[2]. Soaked and then boiled[4]. (This suggests that the leaves are bitter and need to be soaked in order to remove the bitterness.)

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, carminative, expectorant, ophthalmic and vasodilator. Used as a kidney tonic, it also treats sterility and barrenness[3][5][8]. 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[8]. It should be used with some caution since in excess it can cause vomiting, dizziness, thirst and nosebleeds[8]. The plant is harvested in the growing season and dried for later use[8].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Infertility
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Hillsides in damp shady bamboo groves or in cliff crevices[3]. Moist woodlands[8].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer[6]. 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[6]. 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[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any fertile humus-rich soil[6], preferring a peaty loam[1]. Grows best in semi-shade[6]. Plants can succeed in the dry shade of trees[7]. Although the plants are hardy to at least -15°c, the young growth in spring can be killed by frosts[8]. Grows well in the rock garden or wild garden[1]. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in Japan[9]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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