Region: east Asia, Japan.
Habitat: thickets and open deciduous woods in mountains; 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.
Use: ornamental; young shoots, cooked; root chewed.
BotanyHerb; perennial; 45 cm tall; long-lived plant, for 50 years; inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.
Root: strongly resents root disturbance.
Pollination: by insects; self-fertile.
TaxonomyClosely related to
Paeonia obovata.