They really look like weeds, don't they. I had planted several last year and pulled some up thinking they were weeds. I too would like to know if there are native ones.

I figured it out! My neighbor has two trees that have the same exact heart-shaped leaves. In the fall these trees are covered - I do mean covered - with seed pods. These are tree seedlings - duh. I don't know what kind of trees they are - asked my neighbor, and he didn't know either. They are very pretty though. Small trees with slender trunks. In the spring they are covered with panicles of pink blooms, which are covered with honey bees. Very graceful and pretty during the summer. If anyone wants to try an unknown tree, I'll try to pot up a couple of the seedlings. If not, they go to the compost pile.

To the question of nativity. There are no known native species of Epimedium in North America. The ones commonly available are usually hybrids from Europe and species from Asia. There are about 50 named species and new ones are being found in China as plant explorers venture further into areas that have not been previously botanised.
I know that they produce seed, but in all of the years I've grown them, I have never found seedlings around the plants. They do expand by producing thick woody rhizomes with short internodes and over a period of time, a single plant can become very large. Great opportunity for sharing!
Rb

Thanks, Rb. I can always count on you for such good information.

I imagine the tree your neighbor has is a redbud tree. They have heart shaped leaves and the species produces a lot of pods. I have the cultivar "Forest Pansy" and it doesn't produce as many seeds. It is a native.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:820989}}

Someone,I think Danielle,really wanted a redbud seedling at the spring trade.I tried to give her one,without success,it died before the trade. You might ask her if she still wants some before you trash all of them.