anomalous peony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• anomalous peony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paeonia quinquecapsularis
• Paeonia sibirica
• Paeonia sinjiangensis
• Paeonia veitchii subsp. altaica
• Paeonia altaica
• Paeonia anomala var. nudicarpa
• Paeonia anomala var. insignis
• Paeonia anomala var. angustifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Saxifragales, it is classified under the family Paeoniaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Paeonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast territories of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Within Eastern Europe, its range extends through both North European Russia and East European Russia. Moving eastward, the species is well-established across several key regions of Siberia. Specifically, it can be found in the Altay mountains and throughout the Buryatiya region. Furthermore, its geographical presence continues into the Irkutsk area of Siberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paeonia anomalа is defined by its preference for specific montane environments, primarily occurring within forest ecosystems and open meadows. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1200 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Within this distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1600 m AMSL, indicating its adaptation to the temperate conditions characteristic of mid-to-high altitude mountain landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows

Life history

The life history of Paeonia anomala is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes repeated growth cycles from its established rootstock. As a perennial, the plant follows a long-term developmental pattern where it establishes a robust, tuberous root system that serves as a primary energy reservoir, allowing it to survive periods of dormancy and regrow during favorable growing seasons. Each year, the plant transitions through vegetative stages, producing lush foliage, followed by a reproductive phase marked by the emergence of large, showy flowers. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that contribute to the genetic diversity of the population, though the survival of the individual relies heavily on the perennial endurance of its underground structures. This life cycle ensures stability within its natural habitat, enabling the plant to persist through seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paeonia anomala is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, existing as both a herb and a forb. This terrestrial, self-supporting plant does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paeonia anomala is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. The morphological aspects of its vegetative development are reflected in its leaf dimensions, where the leaves exhibit significant variability in size. Specifically, the leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum of 17 cm, with an average length of approximately 13 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 8 cm and a maximum of 18 cm, indicating a robust surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within the C3 framework.

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length mean:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

18 cm

Leaf width min:

8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paeonia anomala is characterized by its bisexual floral structure, which facilitates sexual reproduction. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through June, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces flowers that measure between 5.5 cm and 7 cm in length.

Flower length max:

7 cm

Flower length min:

5.5 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Paeonia anomala has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Izvestiia Akademii nauk. Seriia biologicheskaia

Chemicals

Paeonia anomala has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-O-methyl-paeoniflorin.

4-O-methyl-paeoniflorin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Preparations

Paeonia anomala has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts prepared from various parts of the root of Paeonia anomala (bark and wood), root.

Extracts prepared from various parts of the root of paeonia anomala (bark and wood)

1. Izvestiia Akademii nauk. Seriia biologicheskaia

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica