| Habitats
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Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
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| Edible Uses
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Edible Parts: Root; Seed; Stem.
Root - cooked and eaten in a broth[2, 4, 46, 183].
Stems - cooked[177].
Seed - powdered and mixed with tea[4, 183].
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| Medicinal Uses
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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.
Alterative; Analgesic; Anodyne; Antibacterial; Antiinflammatory; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Astringent; Carminative; Diuretic; Emmenagogue;
Expectorant; Febrifuge; Hypotensive; Nervine; Tonic; Women's complaints.
The root of Chinese peony has been used for over 1,500 years in Chinese medicine. It is known most widely as one of the herbs used to make 'Four Things Soup', a woman's tonic, and it is also a remedy for gynaecological problems and for cramp, pain and giddiness[254]. When the whole root is harvested it is called Chi Shao Yao, if the bark is removed during preparation then it is called Bai Shao Yao[250].
The root is alterative, analgesic, anodyne, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine and tonic[176, 218, 238, 279]. 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]. It is taken internally in the treatment of menstrual disorders, injuries, high blood pressure, pre-menstrual tension and liver disorders[238]. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner and should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn from cultivated plants that are 4 - 5 years old and are boiled before being sun-dried for later use[238, 250]. The roots of wild plants are harvested in the spring or (preferably) in the autumn and are sun-dried for later use[238].
The root is an ingredient of 'Four Things Soup', the most widely used woman's tonic in China[254]. The other species used are Rehmannia glutinosa, Ligusticum wallichii and Angelica sinensis[254].
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].
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| Cultivation details
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An easily grown and undemanding plant[250], 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]. Prefers a rich heavy soil that is well-drained but remains moist in the summer[187].
The species is hardy to about -25°c, but there are many named varieties some of which are hardy to about -50°[187].
Cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[178].
A very ornamental[1] and long-lived plant, surviving in gardens for 50 years or more[200]. Many hundreds of named varieties have been developed for their ornamental value[250].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].
Strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover if it is transplanted[1]. Plants should be planted with their crowns no more than 3cm below soil level. If planted deeper they do not flower so well[187].
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].
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| Propagation
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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].
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| Botanical References
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| 74200266
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| Links / References
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[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
| [1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
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| Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
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| [2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
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| Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
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| [4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.
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| Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
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| [46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.
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| An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
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| [54]Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds.
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| Interesting reading.
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| [74]Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR.
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| An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
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| [176]Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
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| An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
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| [177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.
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| An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
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| [178]Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica.
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| A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
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| [183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
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| Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
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| [187]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2.
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| Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
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| [200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
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| Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
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| [218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China
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| Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
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| [233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants
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| A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
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| [238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
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| A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
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| [250]Page. M. The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
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| A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
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| [254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
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| An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
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| [266] Flora of China
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| On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
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| [279] Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
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| An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
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| Subject : Paeonia lactiflora |
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