Fern-leaf Peony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Fern-leaf Peony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paeonia tenuifolia f. parviflora
• Paeonia carthalinica
• Paeonia biebersteiniana
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. biebersteiniana
• Paeonia tenuifolia subsp. biebersteiniana
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. brevifolia
• Paeonia tenuifolia f. brevifolia
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. hybrida
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. laciniata
• Paeonia tenuifolia f. latifolia
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. latifolia
• Paeonia tenuifolia f. latisecta
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. latisecta
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. parviflora
• Paeonia tenuifolia var. plena
• Paeonia lithophila
• Paeonia laciniata
• Paeonia hybrida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Paeonia tenuifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Saxifragales. Finally, it is classified under the family Paeoniaceae and the genus Paeonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions of Southeastern and Eastern Europe. Within Southeastern Europe, its presence is noted in Bulgaria and Romania. It can also be found throughout the Northwestern Balkan Peninsula. Moving into Eastern Europe, the species inhabits the Crimean Peninsula. Finally, its range extends further north into East European Russia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paeonia tenuifolia is defined by its preference for high-altitude environments, specifically occupying an elevational range between 2000 and 3000 m AMSL. Within these montane zones, the species thrives in diverse topographical settings, including hills, meadows, and mountains. It is particularly well-adapted to rugged landscapes, frequently colonizing stony places where it can establish itself amidst rocky substrates and open alpine or subalpine vegetation.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

hills, meadows, mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Paeonia tenuifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by the leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable conditions. This life form strategy ensures its long-term survival and ability to regenerate annually from its underground structures.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paeonia tenuifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically manifesting as a forb. This terrestrial plant exhibits a compact stature, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m. As a non-woody species, it lacks lignified structures, maintaining a soft, herbaceous habit throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paeonia tenuifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework driven by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound, typically during periods of adequate moisture and moderate temperatures. This metabolic strategy influences its transpiration rates and nutrient uptake, as the plant must balance gas exchange through its stomata with the risk of photorespiration. The plant's physiological vigor is further supported by its perennial root system, which facilitates the storage of carbohydrates and secondary metabolites essential for its survival through seasonal dormancy. This underlying metabolic structure ensures that the plant can effectively manage energy production and resource allocation within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paeonia tenuifolia is characterized by a seasonal flowering cycle that is highly dependent on environmental conditions, typically occurring within a specific window of the year. The flowering period generally begins in April and concludes in June, although the precise timing remains variable depending on the specific climate and local ecological factors. During this period, the plant produces blooms that facilitate sexual reproduction through pollination. Following the flowering phase, the plant transitions into seed development, which is essential for the dispersal of the species and the establishment of new individuals in its natural habitat.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Paeonia tenuifolia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, METHYL GALLATE, Paeoniflorin, Polyphenol, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

METHYL GALLATE

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Paeoniflorin

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Polyphenol

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Tannins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

digallate

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Paeonia tenuifolia has 8 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal.

Antibacterial

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceutics

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Pharmaceutics

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antisclerotic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Neuroprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Paeonia tenuifolia has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhimurium, antidiabetic, antioxidant, wound healing.

Most Reported Uses