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Paeonia mascula - (L.)Mill.

Common Name
Family Paeoniaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Bushy places in meadows and hills[89]. Oak, pine and beech forest, often amongst bracken, or on rocky limestone slopes that are north-facing[187].
Range N.W. Africa. Naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Paeonia mascula


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Paeonia_mascula1.jpg
Paeonia mascula
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Michael_w

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Paeonia mascula is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is 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 dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. corallina. Retz.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antispasmodic  Antitussive  Tonic

The root is antispasmodic and tonic[4, 46, 61]. 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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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires 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]. The sub-species P. mascula mascula succeeds in dry soils, its roots are subject to slug damage in moist soils[187]. The sub-species P. mascula hellenica. Tzanoudakis. comes into growth early in the year and may require protection from late frosts[187]. Plants are generally hardy to about -15°c[187], though some forms, especially the sub-species P. mascula hellenica, might need frost protection[250]. A very ornamental[1] and long-lived plant, living for 50 years or more in the garden[200]. A polymorphic species, there are at least 5 recognised sub-species[200, 250]. This species was cultivated as a medicinal plant in the Middle Ages[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. A polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species[187]. 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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Plant 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

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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 anomalaAnomalous peony, Common PeonyPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNM130
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 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
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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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Author

(L.)Mill.

Botanical References

89200

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