Epimedium grandiflorum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Berberidaceae |
Genus: | Epimedium |
Subgenus: | Epimedium |
Species: | E. grandiflorum |
Binomial name | |
Epimedium grandiflorum C.Morren |
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Synonyms | |
Epimedium macranthum var. violaceum (C. Morren & Decne.) Franch. |
Epimedium macranthum var. violaceum (C. Morren & Decne.) Franch.
Epimedium grandiflorum forma violaceum
Epimedium violaceum
Epimedium grandiflorum (large flowered barrenwort, bishop's hat) is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to China, Japan and Korea. It is known as dâm dương hoắc in Vietnamese.
It is a deciduous perennial growing to 30 cm (12 in), with bright red stems with green heart-shaped leaves (copper-tinged when young) which are slightly hairy on the bottom. In spring it produces pink, white, yellow or purple long-spurred flowers.
Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
E. grandiflorum may have anti-impotence properties due to the presence of icariin, a relatively weak inhibitor of PDE5 in comparison to substances like sildenafil (viagra). Western peer-reviewed research into the efficacy of E. grandiflorum as an aphrodisiac is lacking; however, the herb has been used for this purpose in traditional Chinese medicine and is a common ingredient of herbal remedies for impotence. It is commonly packed in a capsule with other ingredients or sold as herbal flakes or powder with the name "horny goat weed".