Himalayan peony
Paeonia emodi
Family: Paeoniaceae
What it is like
A perennial herb. It grows up to 1 m high. The leaves can have 15 segments. The leaves are 9-13 cm long and 2-4 cm wide.
The plant has medicinal uses. There are about 30 Paeonia species.
Where it is found
It grows in scrub and forest between 1800-2500 metres in western China. It can grow in a range of soils but cannot tolerate waterlogging nor very dry conditions. It does best with light shade. Plants can withstand frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Slovenia
How it is used for food
The young shoots are eaten cooked. They can be sun-dried and stored for later use.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed and it is best to use fresh seed and stored seed germinates very slowly. Plants do not tolerate root disturbance. Transplanting of multiplying plants by division of the roots must be done very carefully.
Plants take 4-5 years to flower from seed. Plants can live for 50 years.
Its other names
Local names
Bhuma madrya, Chandra, Hetto, Himalajska potonika, Mamekh, Mid, Ud-salap, Udslap