English: Brown’s peony.
Region: Western North America, California, Nevada, Washington.
Habitat: sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest; altitudes of 900 to 1800 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.
Use: seeds as beads in necklaces; root as a liquorice flavour.
BotanyHerb; perennial; 45 cm tall; suckering; young branches are brittle and very subject to wind damage; grows slow.
Root: strongly resents root disturbance.
Pollination: by insects; self-fertile.