Everything about Peony totally explained
» For the ancient Balkan region and tribe, see Paionia.
The
peony or
paeony (
Paeonia) is the only genus in the
flowering plant family
Paeoniaceae. They are native to
Asia, southern
Europe and western
North America.
Most are herbaceous perennial plants 0.5–1.5 metres tall, but some are woody shrubs up to 1.5–3 metres tall. They have compound, deeply lobed leaves, and large, often fragrant flowers, ranging from red to white or yellow, in late spring and early summer. In the past, the peonies were often classified in the family
Ranunculaceae, alongside
Hellebores and
Anemones
Species
- Herbaceous species (about 30 species)
- Woody species (about 10 species)
Symbolism and uses
The peony is among the longest-used flowers in ornamental culture and is one of the smallest living creature
national emblems in China. Along with the
plum blossom, it's a traditional floral symbol of
China, where it's called 牡丹 (mǔ dān). It is also known as 富贵花 (fuguihua) 'flower of riches and honour', and is used symbolically in Chinese art. In 1903, the
Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower. Currently, the
Republic of China on
Taiwan designates the
plum blossom as the
national flower, while the
People's Republic of China has no legally designated national flower. In 1994, the peony was proposed as the national flower after a nationwide poll, but the
National People's Congress failed to ratify the selection. In 2003, another selection process has begun, but to date, no choice has been made.
The famous ancient Chinese city
Luoyang has a reputation as a cultivation centre for the peonies. Throughout
Chinese history, peonies in Luoyang are often said to be the finest in the country. Dozens of peony exhibitions and shows are still held there annually.
In
Japan,
Paeonia lactiflora used to be called
ebisugusuri ("foreign medicine"). In
kampo (the Japanese adaptation of
Chinese medicine), its root was used as a treatment for convulsions. It is also cultivated as
garden plant. In Japan
Paeonia suffruticosa is called the "The King of flowers" and
Paeonia lactiflora is called the "prime minister of flowers".
Pronunciation of 牡丹 (peony) in Japan is "botan". Before
Meiji period, meat taken from
quadrupeds was seldom consumed in Japan due to
Buddhism. Thus in cases where such meat was handled, it was paraphrased using the names of flowers. The term botan was used (and is still used) to paraphrase
wild boar meat. This comes from the flowery resemblance of the sliced meat when spread over a dish. Another example is
sakura (cherry blossoms) which stands for horsemeat.
In 1957, the
Indiana General Assembly passed a law to make the peony the
state flower of
Indiana, a title which it holds to this day. It replaced the
zinnia, which had been the state flower since 1931.
Mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the Peony thus causing this magnificent flower to be given the meaning of Shame or Bashfulness in the Language of Flowers.
It was named after Pæon, a physician to the gods, who obtained the plant on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and punishes those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years. Once established, however, it produces splendid blooms each year for decades.
(Taken from
The Language of Flowers, edited by Sheila Pickles, 1990)
Peonies are also extensively grown as
ornamental plants for their very large, often scented flowers.
Peonies tend to attract
ants to the flower buds. This is due to the nectar that forms on the outside of the flower buds.
Gallery
Image:Peonies.jpeg|A cultivated hybrid peony
Image:Pfingstrose.jpg|A cultivar of Paeonia lactiflora
Image:Poeny-botanical-drawing.jpg|1800s botanical drawing of a single-flowered peony
Image:Paeonia lutea0.jpg|Paeonia ludlowii (syn. Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii
Image:Paeonia officinalis officinalis0.jpg|Paeonia officinalis 'Rubra Plena' double-flowered cultivar
Image:Paeonia_19.jpg|Paeonia lactiflora cultivar
Image:Peony1.jpg|Paeonia officinalis
Image:Peony_closeup.jpg|Peony close-up
References and external links
Paeoniaceae in Topwalks
Germplasm Resources Information Network: Paeonia
Flora Europaea: Paeonia
Peony species
Flora of China: Paeonia
Ornamental Plants from Russia: Paeonia
Canadian Peony Society
U.S. Peony Society
Carsten Burkhardt's Open Source Peony Project
German Peony Group
China Daily article on the 2003 national flower selection process
1911 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
Rockii Tree Peony
Paeonia mascula in the National Park of Alta Murgia, Apulia - Southern Italy Further Information
Get more info on 'Peony'.
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