From the classical Greek name epimedion.

Rhizomatous herbaceous perennials. Leaves 1-6 per stem. Leaflets 2-60, arrangement pinnate. Flowers in clusters. Sepals 8, outer 4 soon shed, inner 4 petal-like. Petals 4, flat or with pouch or spur. Stamens 4. Ovary with many ovules. Fruit a capsule opening by a dorsal valve.

Division.

Plants herbaceous and rhizomatous; petals and stamens each 4.

About 54 species from S Europe, N Africa and temperate Asia, mostly growing naturally in woodland.

Stearn (1938), Ying (1975), Weaver (1979), Suzuki (1984).

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Berberidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Updated by: Rob Cross, December 2017