bishop's hat or horny goat weed or fairy wings

Elves’ flower or lustful goat weed?

The Dutch vernacular name, elves’ flower, is true to its name: it is a magical plant with delicate flowers. Barrenworts originate from southern Europe and Central, south and east Asia. They are perennials that bloom in spring and most species have (in total approximately 100) spider like flowers. Many species also have aphrodisiac properties originally discovered by a Chinese goat herder who noticed his goats become very frisky after eating barrenwort. In China some Epimedium species are also called ‘lustful goat weed’ for this very reason.

Many species in China have a small range and are therefore vulnerable. As a result of this alleged ‘Viagra’ effect barrenwort as been collected to the point of disappearance. Epimedium rhizomatosum grows in the mountain forests of Sichuan and is one of the longest flowering species, often until well into the autumn.