Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

Details of genus: Paeonia L. [84]

genus_ja:

genus_en: Peony

# spp.:

pub_year:

accepted: Accepted

Family: Paeoniaceae

family_ja: ボタン

Infra familial classification:

distribution_en: Temp.Eurasia, W. N.America

description_en: Genus of 30 or more species of clump-forming herbaceous perennials and deciduous, sometimes suckering shrubs or subshrubs ("tree peonies") found in meadows, scrub, and rocky places from Europe to E. Asia, and in W. North America. They are grown for their large, brightly coloured, sometimes fragrant, showy flowers and bold, dissected leaves. Some bear pod-like fruits, each with 2-5 lobes and large, red or black seeds. Herbaceous peonies, with tuberous root-stocks, comprise the majority of species and cultivars; most cultivars are derived from P. lactiflora. Tree peonies have woody stems, often with lax branches. Peonies have mid- to dark green, sometimes silver-, bluish, or grey-green leaves; these are 2-ternate or occasionally pinnate, with few to many, usually oval to obovate, sometimes linear, entire or lobed leaflets occasionally softly hairy, especially on the veins beneath. Peony flowers are usually erect and solitary, or sometimes borne several to a stem. They are saucer-, cup-, or bowl-shaped, sometimes spherical when first open, and each single flower has 5 green sepals and 5-10 brightly coloured petals. Most have a crowded central boss of usually cream or yellow stamens; those with double flowers have either no stamens or a few hidden among the petals. The flowers can be divided into 4 major groups: single, semi-double, double, and anemone-form (see panel). In the descriptions below, flower sizes of herbaceous cultivars are defined as: "small", 5-10cm (2-4in) across; "medium-sized", 10-15cm (4-6in) across; "large", 15-20cm (6-8in) across; or "very large", over 20cm (8in) across. Tree peonies have single to double flowers, 5-30cm (2-12in) across. Peonies are long-lived plants but they often resent disturbance. Most flower in early summer (only exceptions to this are indicated in the descriptions below). They are ideal for a mixed, herbaceous, or shrub border. If ingested, all parts can cause mild stomach upset.

hardiness_en: Fully hardy to frost hardy; young foliage and flower buds may be damaged by late spring frosts.

cultivation_en:

propagation_en: Sow seed in containers outdoors in autumn or early winter (may take 2 or 3 years to germinate). Divide herbaceous peonies in autumn or early spring, or take root cuttings in winter. Take semi-ripe cuttings of tree peonies in summer, or graft in winter.

pests_en: Susceptible to viruses, eelworms, and swift moth larvae. Honey fungus may cause rapid death. Peony grey mould blight (peony wilt) may destroy shoots and buds.

description_ja:

comment:

comment_ja: ボタン，シャクヤク

type_species:

Phylogenetic definition:

Update Information: Created: 2007-12-06 12:51; Updated: 2022-03-09 15:20

family: