Peony, Female peony, Common paeony
Paeonia officinalis
Family: Paeoniaceae
What it is like
A perennial plant. It grows 50-75 cm tall and 50-75 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and divided. There are 17-30 leaflets. They are green above and blue-green underneath. The flowers are deep red or pink and cup shaped.
There are about 30 Paeonia species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It suits hardiness zones 8-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Albania, Andorra, Australia, Balkans, Europe, France, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mediterranean, Slovenia, Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The seeds are ground and used as a spice. They are also used for tea. The flowers are used as a vegetable or used to scent tea. The starch of the root is used to extend bread flour after the bitter element is removed.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Flowers, seeds - spice, flowers - tea, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Navadna potonika