Region: East Asia, Siberia.
Habitat: steppe meadows, open herb covered, stony slopes; prefers deep rich soil, neutral or slightly alkaline; doing quite well in sun or light shade; intolerant of waterlogged or too dry soil; lime tolerant; on sandy soils more leaves and less flowers; on clay better blooms.
Use: roots, for gruel.
BotanyHerb; perennial; 45 cm tall; long-lived plant, surviving for 50 years; inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes; strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover after being divided.
Pollination: by insects; self-fertile.
TaxonomyClose too
Paeonia anomala and included by some botanists. It is thought by some to be a hybrid between
Paeonia tenuifolia and
Paeonia anomala. Others claim that it is found growing wild.
TaxonomyClosely related to
Paeonia tenuifolia.