Brown's peony, California Peony, Peony, Western, Western Peony
Paeonia brownii
Family: Paeoniaceae
What it is like
A perennial plant. It forms clumps. It grows up to 45 cm tall. It spreads 50 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and deeply dissected. They are fleshy. The flowers are small and red and green. They occur singly and tend to hang over. They are almost round and 3 cm across.
There are about 30 Paeonia species.
Where it is found
It occurs naturally in sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest at altitudes of 900-1800 metres. It does best in neutral or alkaline soils. It can grow in sunny places or in light shade. They cannot tolerate waterlogging or extreme dry soils. It can tolerate cold and frost. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The root has a liquorice flavour.
Edible parts
Root
How it is grown
Plants generally breed true from seed. Plants can be grown from seed which are best planted fresh as soon as they are ripe. Seed will germinate in about 6 weeks but can take 18 months if the seed has been stored. Plants do not easily transplant and only divide with difficulty.
Plants take 4-5 years to flower from seed. Plants can live for 50 years.