Chinese peony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese peony
• woodland peony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 found across several specific regions within the Russian Far East. Its natural range includes the Amur region, where it grows in distinct local habitats. Furthermore, it can be located in the Khabarovsk territory and the coastal area of Primorye. The species also extends its reach to the island territories of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Together, these locations define the specific geographical footprint of Paeonia obovata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paeonia obovata is characterized by its preference for forest habitats, where it thrives under specific environmental conditions. This species occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. On average, the plant is situated at a mean elevation of 1700 m AMSL, positioning it within montane ecological zones that provide the necessary shade and soil moisture consistent with its preferred forest settings.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Paeonia obovata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival through multiple growing seasons via a long-term developmental cycle. As a member of the cryptophyte group, it utilizes specialized underground structures to protect its vital organs during unfavorable environmental conditions. Specifically, its life form is classified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on perennial underground storage organs, such as thickened roots or tubers, to endure dormancy and regenerate once favorable conditions return.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paeonia obovata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a terrestrial herb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior and maintains a structural habit typical of herbaceous perennials. The plant reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.7 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paeonia obovata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The morphological aspects of its foliage play a critical role in its metabolic efficiency, with leaf dimensions exhibiting significant variability. The leaves typically possess a mean length of 21 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 14 cm to a maximum of 28 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, providing the necessary surface area to optimize light interception for its C3 metabolic cycle.

Leaf length max:

28 cm

Leaf length mean:

21 cm

Leaf length min:

14 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paeonia obovata is characterized by a distinct flowering period that typically commences in June and continues through August. During this cycle, the plant produces prominent flowers with a significant size range, where the length of the blooms varies from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit measurable dimensions; these fruits typically have a mean length of 2.5 cm, with individual measurements ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3 cm in length.

Flower length max:

10 cm

Flower length min:

7 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Paeonia obovata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6'-O-Acetylpaeoniflorin.

6'-O-Acetylpaeoniflorin

1. Journal of medicinal food

Conditions

Paeonia obovata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal diseases.

Gastric ulcer

1. Journal of medicinal food

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Paeonia obovata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Qizhiweitong particles.

Qizhiweitong particles

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology