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Paeonia anomala - L.

Common Name Anomalous peony, Common Peony
Family Paeoniaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coniferous woods, rocky hillsides amongst shrubs and in dry steppe grassland[187]. Forest margins and clearings[74].
Range Europe to C. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Paeonia anomala Anomalous peony, Common Peony


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Paeonia anomala Anomalous peony, Common Peony

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Paeonia anomala is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Root - dried and cooked with protein foods[74, 250]. Young shoots - cooked[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Antitussive  Astringent  Febrifuge  Hypotensive  Stomachic

The root is astringent and stomachic[61]. The Chinese herb Chi Shao Yao is made from the whole root of a number of peony species, especially P. lactiflora, but also occasionally this species[250]. 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[250]. 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[250].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it does best in a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline[1], doing quite well in sun or light shade[1, 200]. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry[250]. This species is lime tolerant[200]. 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[250]. Very cold resistant[74], tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[187]. A very ornamental[74] and long-lived plant, specimens can survive in the garden for at least 50 years[200]. This species is closely related to P. veitchii, differing mainly in only having one flower to a stem[250]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. A very greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. Strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover after being divided[1]. Peony species are usually self-fertile, though they will also hybridise with other species if these flower nearby at the same time[250]. Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed[200]. They generally breed true from seed[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[250]. When sown fresh, the seed produces a root about 6 weeks after sowing with shoots formed in the spring[200]. 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[200]. 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[250]. 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[200]. 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[250].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Paeonia browniiBrown's PeonyPerennial0.5 6-9  LMHSNM121
Paeonia caucasica Perennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM012
Paeonia delavayiTree Peony, Dian mu danShrub1.6 5-9  LMHSNM13 
Paeonia emodi Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNM12 
Paeonia hybrida Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM11 
Paeonia japonicaYama-ShakuyakuPerennial0.5 6-9  LMHSNM11 
Paeonia lactifloraChinese Peony, PeonyPerennial0.8 4-10 MLMHSNDM13 
Paeonia luteaTree Peony, Dian mu danShrub1.5 6-9  LMHSNM13 
Paeonia mascula Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM01 
Paeonia obovata Perennial0.5 6-9  LMHSNM03 
Paeonia officinalisPeony, Common peonyPerennial0.6 4-10 MLMHSNM12 
Paeonia ostiiTree PeonyShrub1.5 6-9  LMHSNM12 
Paeonia potaniniiTree PeonyShrub0.6 6-9  LMHSNM12 
Paeonia suffruticosaMoutan, Moutan peony, Tree Peony, Japanese Tree PeonyShrub2.0 5-8 SLMHSNM121
Paeonia szechuanicaTree PeonyShrub1.5 6-9  LMHSNM12 
Paeonia veitchii Perennial0.8 7-10  LMHSNM03 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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