Garden Peony, 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 herbaceous perennial
Species
Paeonia lactiflora
Leaf Type
Compound (biternate or deeply divided); Deciduous herbaceous perennial
Family
Paeoniaceae (Peony family)
Shape
Elliptical to lanceolate segments, often deeply lobed into three parts
Size
Individual leaf segments are 2-4 inches long; total compound leaf structure can reach 6-10 inches
Margin
Entire (smooth) along the individual lobe edges, though the leaf itself appears deeply incised
Arrangement
Alternate along the stem; often appearing in a basal-like cluster in young shoots
Rarity
Very Common; a staple of temperate perennial gardens worldwide
Color & Pattern
Deep lustrous green on the upper surface, slightly paler beneath; new growth may show reddish or bronze tints
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation within segments; overall palmate division from the petiole
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous), leathery, and somewhat glossy or waxy on the upper surface
Description
A bushy herbaceous perennial that produces large, showy, often fragrant flowers in late spring. The foliage is distinctively robust and aesthetic even when not in bloom, forming a rounded mound of dark green divided leaves that turn purplish or gold in autumn.
Key Features
Deeply divided (ternate) glossy leaves, reddish stems on new growth, and tuberous root system; lack of stipules is a diagnostic family trait
Habitat
Full sun to partial shade; prefers deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soil with consistent moisture
Geographic Range
Native to Central and Eastern Asia (China, Mongolia, Siberia); widely cultivated globally in temperate zones
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; there is visible mechanical damage or insect chewing on the right-side lobes and some minor necrotic spotting, possibly early signs of Botrytis or leaf blotch
Interesting Facts
Peonies are incredibly long-lived, sometimes surviving for 50-100 years in the same spot. They are also known as the 'King of Flowers' in China, representing fortune and honor.
Medicinal & Uses
Highly valued as an ornamental; the root (Bai Shao) is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties
Ecological Role
Provides nectar and pollen for bees and ants; ants specifically have a mutualistic relationship with the flower buds, though they are not required for blooming
Similar Species
Paeonia officinalis (European Peony) which has more finely divided leaves; Helleborus (Lenten Rose) which has more serrated margins and different flowering time
Foraging Tips
Not typically foraged for food; identify by the red-tinted 'eyes' or shoots emerging from the soil in early spring and the unique compound leaf structure
Toxicity Warning
Moderately Toxic; contains the glycoside paeonol. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea) in humans, dogs, and cats