English: Tree peony.
Region: east Asia, south west China.
Habitat: spruce forests, edge of scrub, in open pastures; altitudes of 3300 - 4000 metres; prefers deep rich soil, neutral or slightly alkaline; doing well in sun or light shade, prefers part shade; intolerant of waterlogged or too dry soil; lime tolerant; frost tolerant; prefers long hot summers; subject to fungi, honey fungus.
Use: ornamental; Chinese medicine; flowers, cooked or parboiled and sweetened for a teatime delicacy; stems as firewood.
BotanyShrub; deciduous; 150 cm tall; young branches are brittle and very subject to wind damage; grows slow.
Root: strongly resents root disturbance.
Pollination: by insects; self-fertile.
TaxonomyClosely related to
Paeonia delavayi.