Woodland peony

What does Woodland peony look like?

Woodland peony is a perennial herbaceous plant, 30–70 cm high, that dies back in autumn and regrows from buds just below the soil. It has thick roots and hairless, sturdy stems. The leaves are divided into up to nine inverted egg-shaped leaflets, with the lower surface sometimes hairy or felted. Each stem bears a single flower, 7–12 cm across, with four to seven petals in shades from white and pink to carmine or purple-red. The flowers have yellow, orange-red, or dark purple anthers and glossy black seeds.

Where does Woodland peony come from?

Paeonia obovata grows wild in forests from eastern China through Korea, Japan, and Far Eastern Russia, including Manchuria and Sakhalin. It is found at altitudes from 200 to 2800 meters, in both broad-leaved and coniferous woods. The species was first described in 1859 from a Russian specimen. Over time, botanists named several related forms, but most are now considered part of P. obovata. The plant was introduced to Europe in 1900 by Ernest Henry Wilson.

When and how Woodland peony blooms

The woodland peony flowers in May and June. It grows from thick roots and overwinters with buds just under the soil surface. It prefers forest habitats, often at moderate to high altitudes. Plants can be grown from seed or divided roots. The flowers open singly at the top of each stem, and the plant produces dry fruits with shiny black seeds that ripen in September.

How Woodland peony is used

In traditional Chinese medicine, the roots of Paeonia obovata are used as a painkiller, tranquilliser, and anti-inflammatory remedy, and to treat cardiovascular issues and bleeding. The Ainu people of Hokkaido also used it for pain relief. In gardens, it is grown for its attractive spring flowers. It was first cultivated in European botanical gardens and is now available to gardeners.

Kinds of Woodland peony

Paeonia obovata is highly variable. Plants may be diploid or tetraploid, with differences in leaf hairiness, flower color, and number of stamens and carpels. The subspecies willmottiae, found in China’s Qin Mountains, has hairy leaf undersides and 20 chromosomes. Other forms differ in flower color and leaf texture, but all are now usually grouped as one species.

What Woodland peony means

The Latin name 'obovata' refers to the inverted egg shape of its leaflets. The plant has a long history in East Asian traditional medicine. It was introduced to European horticulture in the early 20th century. Among the Ainu people, it was known as horap or orap and valued for its medicinal properties.

Questions people ask about Woodland peony

Good reading and sources

• Paeonia obovataRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Paeonia obovata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data