Practical
Plants

Paeonia lactiflora

Chinese Peony

a perennial member of the Paeonia genus in the family Paeoniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Paeonia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.75 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - cooked and eaten in a broth[7][16][17][5]. Stems - cooked[3]. Seed - powdered and mixed with tea[16][5].

Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root of Chinese peony has been used for over 1,500 years in Chinese medicine. It is known most widely as one of the herbs used to make 'Four Things Soup', a woman's tonic, and it is also a remedy for gynaecological problems and for cramp, pain and giddiness[13]. When the whole root is harvested it is called Chi Shao Yao, if the bark is removed during preparation then it is called Bai Shao Yao[12]. The root is alterative, analgesic, anodyne, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine and tonic[2][9][11][15]. The most important ingredient medicinally in the root is paeoniflorin, which has been shown to have a strong antispasmodic effect on mammalian intestines, it also reduces blood pressure, reduces body temperature caused by fever and protects against stress ulcers[12]. It is taken internally in the treatment of menstrual disorders, injuries, high blood pressure, pre-menstrual tension and liver disorders[11]. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner and should not be prescribed for pregnant women[11]. The roots are harvested in the autumn from cultivated plants that are 4 - 5 years old and are boiled before being sun-dried for later use[11][12]. The roots of wild plants are harvested in the spring or (preferably) in the autumn and are sun-dried for later use[11]. The root is an ingredient of 'Four Things Soup', the most widely used woman's tonic in China[13]. The other species used are Rehmannia glutinosa, Ligusticum wallichii and Angelica sinensis[13]. A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy, and as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins[12].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Women's complaints

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Siberia to Mongolia.
Habitat
Dry open stony slopes, riverbanks and sparse woodland edges[19]. Woods and grasslands at elevations of 400 - 2300 metres in China[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[12]. When sown fresh, the seed produces a root about 6 weeks after sowing with shoots formed in the spring[8]. Stored seed is much slower, it should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame but may take 18 months or more to germinate[8]. The roots are very sensitive to disturbance, so many growers allow the seedlings to remain in their pots for 2 growing seasons before potting them up. This allows a better root system to develop that is more resilient to disturbance[12]. If following this practice, make sure you sow the seed thinly, and give regular liquid feeds in the growing season to ensure the plants are well fed. We usually prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and then grow them on in a cold frame for at least two growing seasons before planting them out when they are in growth in the spring[K]. Division with great care in spring or autumn. Each portion must have a leaf bud. If the lifted root is stood in shade for several hours it becomes less brittle and easier to divide[8]. Divisions that have several buds will usually flower in the second year, but those that only have one or two buds will take a number of years before they have grown sufficiently to flower[12].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown and undemanding plant[12], it does best in a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline[1], doing quite well in sun or light shade[1][8]. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry[12]. This species is lime tolerant[8]. Plants grown on sandy soils tend to produce more leaves and less flowers, whilst those growing on clay take longer to become established but produce better blooms[12]. Prefers a rich heavy soil that is well-drained but remains moist in the summer[6]. The species is hardy to about -25°c, but there are many named varieties some of which are hardy to about -50°[6]. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[4]. A very ornamental[1] and long-lived plant, surviving in gardens for 50 years or more[8]. Many hundreds of named varieties have been developed for their ornamental value[12]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[18]. Strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover if it is transplanted[1]. Plants should be planted with their crowns no more than 3cm below soil level. If planted deeper they do not flower so well[6]. Peony species are usually self-fertile, though they will also hybridise with other species if these flower nearby at the same time[12]. Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed[8]. They generally breed true from seed[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Page. M. The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies. David & Charles. Newton Abbot. 1997-00-00 ISBN 0 7153 0531 X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  15. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

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  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  18. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

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  19. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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