barren-wort, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetran-

dria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking Epimedium under the 24th order, Corydalis. There are four nec-

taria, cup-shaped, and lying on the petals. The co-

rolla is tetrapetalous, the calyx dropping off. The feed-

vessel is a pod. There is only one species, viz. the al-

pinum. It is a low herbaceous plant, with a creeping root, having many stalks about nine inches high, each of which has three flowers composed of four leaves placed in the form of a cross. They are of a reddish colour, with yellow stripes on the border.