Himalayan Peony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan Peony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paeonia emodi var. glabrata
• Paeonia emodi f. glabrata
• Paeonia anomala var. emodi

Regional and Traditional Names

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 the genus Paeonia, which includes the species Paeonia emodi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several diverse regions within Asia. In Western Asia, it can be found growing in the country of Afghanistan. Its range extends significantly into China, specifically within the Tibet and Xinjiang regions. Furthermore, it is present in the Indian Subcontinent, occupying parts of Nepal. Finally, the species is also documented to inhabit various areas of Pakistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paeonia emodi is characterized by its preference for specific high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species thrives within a specialized elevational range, primarily distributed across mid-to-high mountain belts. It is typically found at a minimum elevation of 1800 m AMSL, with its presence becoming most frequent at a mean elevation of 2350 m AMSL. The species reaches its upper ecological limit at an elevation of 2400 m AMSL, indicating a highly specialized adaptation to the cool, high-altitude climatic conditions and soil profiles characteristic of these specific altitudinal zones.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Paeonia emoadi is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for several years and maintains its presence in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes a seasonal cycle where it establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive dormant periods, typically during colder or drier months, before re-emerging to produce foliage and flowers once favorable environmental conditions return. This long-lived lifecycle enables the plant to invest significant energy into vegetative growth and reproductive structures, ensuring its persistence in its specific ecological niche over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paeonia emoadi is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. The plant is an independent organism, functioning without any parasitic relationship to its environment. It is a self-supporting species that does not exhibit climbing tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 0.7 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.6 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height mean:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Paeonia emoedi is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaves exhibit a controlled range of longitudinal expansion, with a mean leaf length of 11 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 9 cm and a maximum of 13 cm. Complementing this vertical growth, the lateral expansion of the leaf blades is relatively constrained, maintaining a width that spans from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. These specific dimensions in leaf length and width contribute to the overall photosynthetic surface area, defining the plant's structural efficiency and its ability to manage light interception within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paeonia emodi is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable across different environments. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit with distinct morphological dimensions; the fruit length typically averages 2.3 cm, ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 2.6 cm. The fruit width also shows notable variation, with a mean measurement of 1.25 cm, spanning from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent mass, recorded at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.14866 g, ensuring a uniform seed profile for the next generation.

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

2.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.3 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.25 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.14866 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Paeonia emodi has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal de mycologie medicale
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Root

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Seed

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Chemicals

Paeonia emodi has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,5-Dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone, ETHYL GALLATE, OLEANOLIC ACID, Phytic acid, Vitamin A.

1,5-Dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

ETHYL GALLATE

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Phytic acid

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Vitamin A

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

betulinic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

methionine

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

methyl grevillate

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

proline

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Activities

Paeonia emodi has 14 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticoagulant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Current drug discovery technologies

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Current drug discovery technologies

Antibacterial

1. Chinese medicine

Anticancer

1. Current drug discovery technologies

Anticoagulant

1. Chinese medicine

Anticonvulsant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiepileptic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antifungal

1. Chinese medicine

Antiinflammatory

1. Current drug discovery technologies

Antimicrobial

1. Current drug discovery technologies

Medicinal Uses

Paeonia emodi has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, anti-allergic, gastrointestinal disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations