Yin Yang Huo
Epimedium sagittatum

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Hillsides in damp shady bamboo groves or in cliff crevices. Moist woodlands.

E. Asia - China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

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

Medicine

Rating: 3

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

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Infertility: Used in treating problems of human fertility.

Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vasodilator: Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Other

Rating: 3

A good ground cover plant.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Succeeds in any fertile humus-rich soil, preferring a moist but well-drained peaty loam. Grows best in the light dappled shade of a woodland. Plants can succeed in the dry shade of trees. A shallow-rooting plant, the rhizomes creeping just below the soil and the finer roots occupying the top 30cm of the soil. Although the plants are hardy to at least -15°c, the young growth in spring can be killed by frosts. Grows well in the rock garden or wild garden. 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. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in Japan. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer. 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. Plant them out in mid to late summer. Division in July/August according to one report, in late spring according to another. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

E. sinense.