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Berberidaceae FAMILY

Epimedium brevicornu

Epimedium brevicornu

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
4/5

Safety & Hazards

Because it is widely used in Chinese herbal treatments, the plant has had extensive toxicity tests carried out upon it, all of which have shown the plant to be safe to eat at rates considerably above recommended doses.

Cultivation Details

HabitPerennial
Growth—

Epimedium brevicornu is found at high elevations in southern central China where it is known to withstand winter temperatures that can fall to -20°c, though like many Epimediums the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts[1]. Species in this genus are generally easy to grow, succeeding in most fertile, humus-rich soils, but preferring a moist, well-drained peaty loam[2, 1]. Requires a lime-free soil[1]. Plants generally grow best in the light dappled shade of a woodland[2, 1]. This species grows very well on a shady ledge 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[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer[2, 1]. 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[PFAF]. Plant them out in mid to late summer[PFAF]. Division is best carried out in late summer according to one report[1], in late spring according to another[2]. 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[2]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Epimedium+brevicornu>

Pollinators

Bees

References

  1. [1]The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae — Stearn. W. T. · 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.
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · 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.
  3. [3]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
  4. [4]Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. (Yinyanghuo, Barrenwort) — Li-Hua Yan · 2015 · http://10.1007/978-3-211-99448-1_69 ↩︎
  5. [5]Therapeutic Anabolic and Anticatabolic Benefits of Natural Chinese Medicines for the Treatment of Osteoporosis — He J., Li X., Wang Z. et al · 2019 · http://10.3389/fphar.2019.01344 ↩︎
  6. [6]Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. — Brooklyn Botanic Garden · Brooklyn Botanic Garden · 1986 · ISBN - ↩︎A small booklet packed with information.
  7. [7]Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. — Yeung. Him-Che. · Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles · 1985 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
  8. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎