Epimedium koreanum
Nakai.
Berberidaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name: Korean Epimedium
General Information
Epimedium koreanum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- 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.
,
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
,
280- Title
- The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stearn. W. T.
- Publisher
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1 84246 039 0
- Description
- 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.
Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, N. Korea.
Habitat
Wet areas in forests and mountain valleys[
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
].
Properties
Medicinal Rating |    |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 0.30 m |
Pollinators | Bees |
Self-fertile | No |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors in most areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in any fertile humus-rich soil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
], preferring a moist but well-drained peaty loam[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
280- Title
- The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stearn. W. T.
- Publisher
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1 84246 039 0
- Description
- 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.
]. Grows best in the light dappled shade of a woodland[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
280- Title
- The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stearn. W. T.
- Publisher
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1 84246 039 0
- Description
- 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.
]. Plants can succeed in the dry shade of trees[
233- Title
- Perennial Garden Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0 460 86048 8
- Description
- A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
]. A shallow-rooting plant, the rhizomes creeping just below the soil and the finer roots occupying the top 30cm of the soil[
280- Title
- The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stearn. W. T.
- Publisher
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1 84246 039 0
- Description
- 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.
].
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[
280- Title
- The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stearn. W. T.
- Publisher
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1 84246 039 0
- Description
- 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.
].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[
233- Title
- Perennial Garden Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0 460 86048 8
- Description
- A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The aerial parts of the plant contain several medicaly active constituents including flavonoids and phytosteroids[
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
]. They are used in Korea in the treatment of spermatrrhoea, impotence and forgetfulness[
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
].
This plant is related to Epimedium grandiflorum, and contains a similar range of bioactive constituents. The uses of that plant are as follows:-
The aerial parts of the plant are antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antirheumatic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, hypoglycaemic, tonic and vasodilator. Its use lowers blood sugar levels[
116- Title
- Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Publisher
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A small booklet packed with information.
,
176- Title
- Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yeung. Him-Che.
- Publisher
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
]. It is used in the treatment of impotence, seminal emissions, lumbago, arthritis, numbness and weakness of the limbs, hypertension and chronic bronchitis[
176- Title
- Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yeung. Him-Che.
- Publisher
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
]. 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- Title
- Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yeung. Him-Che.
- Publisher
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
].
The leaves are used as an aphrodisiac[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
]. Administered orally, the leaf extract increases the frequency of copulation in animals[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
280- Title
- The Genus Epimedium and other Herbaceous Berberidaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stearn. W. T.
- Publisher
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1 84246 039 0
- Description
- 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.
]. 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- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Plant them out in mid to late summer[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Division in mid summer according to one report, in late spring according to another[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. 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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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