Paeonia anomala

Paeonia anomala is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae. This peony is ½–1 m high, with a thick irregular taproot and thin side roots. The deeply incised leaves have leaflets which are themselves divided in fine segments. It flowers in early summer, almost always with only one fully developed flower per stem, usually magenta-red or more rarely, pink or white. The species occurs in a zone between northern European Russia and northern Mongolia and south to the Tien Shan Mountains. In garden cultivation, it requires full sun or half-shade and well-drained soil. Double-flowered forms are found in cultivation.

Description

A perennial plant. It grows about 50 cm high. It spread to about 50 cm across. The leaves are finely divided. There are fine hairs on the main veins. The leaves are bluish-green underneath. The leaves become orange in autumn. It only has one flower on a stem. The flower is bright red.

Edible Uses

The root is dried and cooked with protein foods. Young shoots are eaten cooked.

Traditional Uses

The root is dried and cooked with protein foods. The young shoots are eaten cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root is astringent and stomachic. The Chinese herb Chi Shao Yao is prepared from the whole root of several peony species, particularly P. lactiflora, but occasionally this species as well. The key medicinal compound in the root is paeoniflorin, which has a strong antispasmodic effect on mammalian intestines, reduces blood pressure, lowers fever-induced body temperature, and protects against stress ulcers. A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy and as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on the edges of forests and on rocky hillsides. It does best in neutral or alkaline soils. It can grow in sun or light shade. It cannot survive waterlogging or extremely dry soils. It can tolerate frost. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China, Europe, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia,

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it does best in a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline, doing quite well in sun or light shade. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry. This species is lime tolerant. Plants grown on sandy soils tend to produce more leaves and less flowers, whilst those growing on clay take longer to become established but produce better blooms. Very cold resistant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c. A very ornamental and long-lived plant, specimens can survive in the garden for at least 50 years. This species is closely related to P. veitchii, differing mainly in only having one flower to a stem. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. A very greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. Strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover after being divided. Peony species are usually self-fertile, though they will also hybridise with other species if these flower nearby at the same time. Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed. They generally breed true from seed.

Propagation

Seed — best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Fresh seed produces a root around 6 weeks after sowing, with shoots forming in spring. Stored seed is much slower and may take 18 months or more to germinate, so sow as soon as possible. Because roots are very sensitive to disturbance, many growers leave seedlings in their pots for 2 growing seasons before potting on, which allows a more robust root system to develop. If doing this, sow thinly and apply regular liquid feeds during the growing season. Alternatively, prick seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame for at least two growing seasons before planting out in spring. Divide with great care in spring or autumn, ensuring each portion has a leaf bud. Standing the lifted root in shade for several hours makes it less brittle and easier to divide. Divisions with several buds generally flower in the second year; those with only one or two buds will take considerably longer.

Other Uses

No other uses are known.

Production

Plants take 4-5 years to flower from seed. Plants can live for 50 years.

Notes

There are about 30-35 Paeonia species. There is only one genus in the Paeoniaceae family.

Also Known As

Rumeno milje

References (7)

• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 973
• Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 217
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of wild edible plants in Mongolian cuisine
• http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
• Mant. pl. 2:247. 1771

More from Paeoniaceae

Paeonia emodi

Himalayan peony

Paeonia hybrida

Paeonia japonica

Yama-shakuyaku

Paeonia lactiflora

Chinese peony

Paeonia lutea

Tree Peony, Dian mu dan

Paeonia mascula