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barrenwort

noun
plural -s

Definition of barrenwort 

: any of certain plants of the genus Epimedium having or believed to have sudorific properties: such as

a : a European herb (E. alpinum) often cultivated and having bitter leaves

b : a Japanese herb (E. diphyllum) with small bluish flowers

c : an herb (E. hexandra) of the Pacific coast of North America having ternate leaves and small nodding flowers on a scapelike stalk

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History and Etymology for barrenwort

so called from the belief that it causes sterility

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