Family: Paeoniaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 530 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Paeonia
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: EC. & S. Europe
Description
The Common Peony, scientifically recognized as Paeonia officinalis, holds a celebrated place in gardens and landscapes across Europe, particularly thriving in Eastern and Southern regions. Classified under the family Paeoniaceae, this plant is a vivid testament to nature’s beauty, showcasing an array of lush, intricate flowers.
First described in the seminal work Species Plantarum in 1753 by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus, this species has been meticulously studied and admired over the centuries. The Common Peony’s historical and cultural significance is as rich as its physical allure, often symbolizing wealth, honor, and romance.
The plant is characterized by its strikingly large, often brilliantly colored flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and occasionally white. These blossoms are complemented by deep green, lobed leaves that provide a perfect backdrop, enhancing the visual spectacle. The robust petals and enchanting fragrance of the Common Peony make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens and floral arrangements.
Native to the diverse landscapes of Eastern and Southern Europe, Paeonia officinalis thrives in temperate climates with well-drained soils. It flourishes best under full sun or partial shade, requiring minimal maintenance once established. These peonies are herbaceous perennials, meaning they die back to the ground in winter but reliably re-emerge each spring, heralding the new growth season with their sumptuous display.
Cultivators often value Common Peonies not just for their beauty, but also for their resilience and longevity. When planted in ideal conditions and properly cared for, they can thrive for decades, becoming a long-lasting feature in any garden.
Additionally, the Common Peony has a rich history in traditional medicine. Although less common in modern medical practices, parts of the plant were historically used for various therapeutic purposes, believed to possess antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
In conclusion, Paeonia officinalis, or the Common Peony, continues to be an enduring symbol of elegance and natural splendor. Its profound legacy, robust nature, and spectacular blooms ensure that it remains a beloved plant among gardeners and botanists alike.
Common Names
Deu: bauern-pfingstrose, garten-pfingstrose, stauden-pfingstrose, echte pfingstrose, gewöhnliche pfingstrose
Eng: common peony, cottage peony, european peony, garden peony, piney
Swe: bergpion
Fra: pivoine officinale, pivoine des jardins
Ces: pivoňka lékařská
Cym: blodau’r brenin, coronllys, daearllys, rhosyn mynydd, rhosyn y mynydd, rhosyn-y-mynydd y gerddi
En: Common peony, Cottage peony, Garden peony, Piney, European peony, Wild Peony
Az: Dərman pionu
Ca: Peònia de muntanya
Zh: 荷蘭芍藥
Kw: Ros menydh
Hr: Božur
Cs: Pivoňka lékařská
Da: Bonderose
Nl: Boerenpioen, Pioenroos
Eo: Ordinara peonio
Et: Varajane pojeng
Fi: Vuoripioni
Fr: Pivoine officinale, Pivoine des jardins, Rose de Notre-Dame
Gl: Peonia
De: Bauern-Pfingstrose, Echte Pfingstrose, Gewöhnliche Pfingstrose, Garten-Pfingstrose, Stauden-Pfingstrose, Königsblume, Puthanchen
Hu: Kerti bazsarózsa
It: Peonia selvatica
Lt: Vaistinis bijūnas
Ml: പിയോണിയ ഒഫിഷിനാലിസ്
No: Klosterpion
Pl: Piwonia lekarska
Pt: Peónia
Pt-br: Paeônia
Ru: Пион лекарственный
Sk: Pivonka lekárska
Es: Peonía
Sv: Bergpion
Tr: Adi şakayık
Cy: Rhosyn-y-mynydd y gerddi, Blodau’r Brenin, Coronllys, Daearllys, Rhosyn Mynydd, Rhosyn y Mynydd
Synonyms
- Paeonia peregrina f. officinalis ((L.) Rouy & Foucaud)
- Moutan officinalis ((L.) Lindl. & Paxton)
- Paeonia nemoralis (Salisb.)
- Paeonia peregrina var. officinalis ((L.) Huth)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- France (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Central European Rus (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- East European Russia (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 19, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 7, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 25, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 13, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 26, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 23, 2021 by ICG (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Adéla Adéla Levá (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 12, 2019 by r08 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Rojo García (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2020 by littleprince (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3083488)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711836-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Paeonia officinalis L.)