English: Tree paeony; Delavay's tree peony.
Region: east Asia, China, Yunnan, Likiang.
Habitat: shady, moist areas of pine forests, in forest clearings and among scrub at altitudes of between 3000 to 3650 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.
BotanyShrub; deciduous; 160 cm tall; long-lived; 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 lutea.