Paeonia mairei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paeonia oxypetala
• Paeonia mairei f. oxypetala
• Paeonia bifurcata

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, specifically as the species Paeonia mairei.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to specific regions within China. Its geographical range is primarily concentrated in the South-Central part of the country. Additionally, the species can be found inhabiting areas in North-Central China. This distribution pattern highlights its preference for these particular inland territories. Consequently, its presence is limited to these two distinct zones across the Chinese landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paeonia mairei is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution within its native montane habitats. This species typically thrives in high-altitude environments, occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 1500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 2100 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests an adaptation to the specific temperature regimes, light intensities, and moisture levels characteristic of mid-to-high mountain ecosystems. This vertical distribution indicates that the species is specialized for subalpine or montane zones where it must navigate the ecological pressures associated with these specific atmospheric elevations.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Paeonia mairei is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, meaning the plant lives for more than two years and undergoes repeated seasonal growth cycles. As a perennial herb, it typically establishes itself through a robust root system or tuberous structures that allow it to survive periods of dormancy, such as harsh winters or dry seasons, before re-emerging during favorable growing periods. Its developmental stages involve a transition from initial seedling establishment to a mature vegetative state where it develops significant underground storage organs to support its long-term survival and reproductive efforts. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can contribute to its population over multiple seasons through successive flowering and seed production cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paeonia mairei is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior. In terms of stature, the species typically reaches a mean height of 0.75 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 0.5 m to a maximum height of 1 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Paeonia mairei is characterized by specific morphological dimensions that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaf structure exhibits a controlled range of size, with leaf lengths typically spanning from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 8 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width shows a corresponding variation, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 6.5 cm. These precise dimensions in leaf length and width indicate a standardized surface area expansion essential for the plant's photosynthetic efficiency and overall metabolic regulation.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

6.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paeonia mairei is characterized by the development of prominent flowers and specialized fruiting structures. The flowering stage features blossoms with a varying length, typically ranging from a minimum of 6.5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant transitions into its fruiting phase, producing fruits that exhibit specific dimensional constraints. These fruits generally maintain a width between 1 cm and 1.2 cm, with an average width measured at approximately 1.1 cm, ensuring the successful containment and eventual dispersal of seeds.

Flower length max:

12 cm

Flower length min:

6.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Paeonia mairei has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lactiflorin, Paeoniflorin.

Lactiflorin

1. Phytochemistry

Paeoniflorin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)