Peony (specifically Garden Peony or Common Peony)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Saxifragales, Family: Paeoniaceae, Genus: Paeonia, Species: Paeonia lactiflora · Paeoniaceae (Peony family) · Compound (biternate or deeply divided); Deciduous
Species
Paeonia lactiflora (likely cultivar)
Leaf Type
Compound (biternate or deeply divided); Deciduous
Family
Paeoniaceae (Peony family)
Shape
Deeply lobed or divided into elliptical/obovate leaflets; often described as palmate-pinnate hybrid appearance
Size
Individual compound leaves approximately 6-10 inches across, consisting of multiple 2-4 inch segments.
Margin
Entire to deeply lobed (incised); generally smooth along the specific edges of the lobes.
Arrangement
Alternate along the herbaceous stems, though appearing bushy.
Rarity
Very Common; a staple of temperate perennial gardens.
Color & Pattern
Lush medium to dark green with a semi-glossy finish. Undersides are typically a lighter, matte green. No variegation present.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate within the lobes, with primary veins radiating from the base of the leaf divisions (Palmate-reticulate).
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous), somewhat leathery and firm to the touch, with a slight waxy sheen on the upper surface.
Description
This is a young herbaceous peony plant. It grows as a bushy perennial reaching 2-3 feet in height. Known for its large, fragrant, spectacular blooms in late spring that range from white to deep crimson. The foliage remains attractive throughout the summer before dying back to the ground in winter.
Key Features
Distinctive deeply divided compound leaves with pointed lobes; reddish tint on new emerging stems (petioles); large globular flower buds that often attract ants.
Habitat
Temperate gardens, meadows, and mountain scrub. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil and full sun to partial shade.
Geographic Range
Native to Central and Eastern Asia (China, Siberia, Tibet). Widely naturalized and cultivated in temperate zones worldwide.
Condition Notes
Excellent health. The leaves show a vibrant green color with no signs of mildew, fungal spots, or insect herbivory.
Interesting Facts
Peonies are known as the 'King of Flowers' in China and were once used as a food source in the Middle Ages. They are incredibly long-lived perennials, often surviving for 50 to 100 years in the same spot.
Medicinal & Uses
Primarily used as an ornamental landscape plant. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the root (Bai Shao) is used to treat female reproductive issues and inflammation. DO NOT ingest without professional guidance.
Ecological Role
Provides early season nectar for bees and beetles. Ants have a mutualistic relationship with the buds, where they eat the nectar and protect the plant from other pests.
Similar Species
Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) which has woody stems; Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) which has similar but more delicate, glaucus foliage.
Foraging Tips
Look for this plant in early spring as reddish 'shoots' emerge from the ground. It is best identified in late spring when the massive, multi-petaled flowers bloom.
Toxicity Warning
Moderately Toxic. Contains paeonol; ingestion of leaves, flowers, or roots can cause nausea, vomiting, and skin irritation in humans, cats, dogs, and horses.