Paeonia L. (1753) Peony, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae, consists of around 30 species, a few shrubs but mostly herbaceous perennials, in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with 2 species found in California. Description Shrubs to 2.5m, with thick, soft twigs. The leaves are alternate, usually at the tops of the shoots, with 3 major divisions, and further subdivided into usually lanceolate lobes. The flowers are large, short-lived, with 1–12 leafy bracts, 5 unequal sepals, and 5–9 petals. There are 6 stamens, the numerous anthers, opening by longitudinal slits. There are 1–8 carpels, separate, often hairy, topped by a broad, short style. Pollination is by insects, often pollen-eating beetles. The fruits are dehiscent, with numerous purplish-black seeds with a fleshy aril, and also usually red infertile seeds. Key Recognition Features Divided leaves and large flowers, to 30cm across in P. suffruticosa Haw. Evolution and Relationships Formerly thought close to or even included in the Ranunculaceae, because of its numerous stamens and follicle-like capsules, but now recognised as being close to Dilleniaceae, in that its petals are derived from sepals rather than from stamens, in its persistent sepals, and in its aril-bearing seed. Ecology and Geography In rocky places on cliffs and in scrub, the herbaceous species sometimes in open steppe. The shrubby species are found in western and central China and the eastern Himalayas, with P. lutea Franch. in southeastern Tibet. Herbaceous species are found mostly around the Mediterranean and in the foothills of the Caucasus. Comment The cultivars of P. suffruticosa, the moutan, or hua wang, king of flowers, are one of the classic ornamental genera of China. Cultivation in China began in Chekiang the early 4th century, and by the early T’ang period in around 700ad. hundreds of varieties were grown. By the 11th and 12th centuries the centre of cultivation was in Sichuan, and there yellow-flowered varieties appeared. At present the centre of moutan culture is the city of Heze, where there is an annual festival in May. The cultivars of P. suffruticosa grow well in Europe and North America in areas with cold winters and warm summers. The taller but smaller-flowered P. lutea and P. delavayi Franch. are more easily grown in humid areas but are less spectacular in flower. Photographs;
A selection of Tree Peonies from Eccleston Square Garden, London |
