epimedium

[ ep-uh-mee-dee-uhm ]

noun

, plural ep·i·me·di·ums.

1. any of various Old World plants belonging to the genus Epimedium, of the barberry family, having small, pinnate leaves and spurred white, yellow, or reddish flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of epimedium¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus), Latin epimēdion < Greek epimḗdion a plant of uncertain identity, equivalent to epi- epi- + mḗdion plant of the genus Campanula

Example Sentences

Marchand mentions a polycarpellary berberid (Epimedium Musschianum).

From Project Gutenberg

The genus Aceranthus, for instance, consists of species of Epimedium in which the customary spurs are not formed.

From Project Gutenberg