Peony

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived perennial

Native distribution

Tibet to China and Siberia

Biocultural value

Roots are used in Chinese medicine to treat gastric disorders and as an intestinal antiseptic, expectorant and emmenagogue.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

The Plantsmen

Description

Herb to 60cm. Stems erect, light green marked red. Leaves biternate, dark green, glabrous above, light green, glabrous except for sparse hairs on veins beneath; leaflets entire or lobed, elliptic to lanceolate, base cuneate, apex acuminate, margins rough-bumpy. Flowers to 10cm diameter, fragrant; petals obovate, white, to 4.5x3cm; stamens to 1.5cm, yellow; carpels 4-5, glabrous; stigma pink. Follicles 2cm.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

medicinal/pharmaceutical