Chinese peony
Paeonia lactiflora

Family: Paeoniaceae

What it is like

A perennial plant up to 75 m high. It spread to 50 cm across. The stems are erect. The leaves have lobes and are pointed. The flowers are large and pink or white. They have a scent. The flowers are 10 cm across. There are 2 or more per stem. There are now many cultivated varieties.

It is used as a medicine. It has anticancer properties. There are about 30 Paeonia species. The flowers have anti-oxidant properties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It requires a deep rich neutral of alkaline soil. The soil should not be waterlogged nor too dry. It can stand medium frosts. It needs shelter from winds. It can tolerate winter temperatures down to -30°C. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, North America, Siberia, Slovenia, Tasmania, Tibet

How it is used for food

The root is cooked and eaten in soup. The bark is rubbed off and it is dried. The seeds are powdered and mixed with tea. The dried fruit peel is used for a tea drink. It is used for an edible red colouring. The flowers are dried and used for tea drinks.

Edible parts

Root, seeds, stem, fruit peel - drink, flowers, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed and fresh seed should be used, as stored seed takes a long time to germinate. Plants do not like root disturbance. Transplanting or division of the root should be done very carefully.

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

Its other names

Local names

Bai Shao, Bai shou, Can-a, Chinese herbaceous peony, Chin Shao Yao, Mamum chai, Navadna vrtna potonika, Syakuyaku

Synonyms

Paeonia albiflora (Pall.); Paeonia edulis (Salisb.);