moutan peony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• moutan peony
• tree peony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paeonia × fruticosa
• Paeonia × moutan
• Paeonia × moutan var. albida-plena
• Paeonia × moutan var. amplissima
• Paeonia × moutan var. anneslei
• Paeonia × suffruticosa var. banksii
• Paeonia × suffruticosa f. banksii
• Paeonia × suffruticosa var. humei
• Paeonia × suffruticosa f. rosea
• Paeonia × suffruticosa f. rubida
• Paeonia × suffruticosa f. papaveracea
• Paeonia × suffruticosa var. papaveracea
• Paeonia × suffruticosa var. purpurea
• Paeonia × suffruticosa f. anneslei
• Paeonia × moutan var. banksii
• Paeonia × moutan var. carnea
• Paeonia × moutan var. carnea-plena
• Paeonia × moutan var. extensa
• Paeonia × moutan var. humei
• Paeonia × moutan var. ocellata
• Paeonia × moutan var. papaveracea
• Paeonia × moutan var. rawesii
• Paeonia × moutan var. rosea
• Paeonia × moutan subvar. rosea-plena
• Paeonia × moutan var. rosea-semiplena
• Paeonia × moutan var. virginea
• Paeonia × papaveracea
• Paeonia × papaveracea var. lefevreana
• Paeonia × suffruticosa f. maculata
• Paeonia × yunnanensis
• Paeonia × arborea
• Paeonia × arborea var. papaveracea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: 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 in the family Paeoniaceae and the genus Paeonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Eastern Asia. Within China, its presence is notable in the South-Central provinces. It can also be found further north in the Inner Mongolia region. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout Southeast China. Finally, its natural habitat extends beyond mainland China to include Korea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paeonia × suffruticosa is characterized by its occurrence within specific high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a narrow vertical distribution. This species is predominantly found in specialized ecological niches situated at high elevations, ranging from a minimum of 2,900 m AMSL to a maximum of 3,300 m AMSL. Such an elevational range suggests an adaptation to alpine or sub-alpine conditions, where the plant must withstand lower temperatures, increased ultraviolet radiation, and potentially thinner soils characteristic of these heights. Its presence within this specific altitudinal belt indicates a reliance on the unique climatic patterns and environmental stability provided by these high-altitude habitats.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Paeonia × suffruticosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for multiple years and undergoes seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy. As a deciduous species, it follows a distinct phenological pattern where it sheds its foliage annually, typically in response to colder temperatures or seasonal changes, entering a period of rest before emerging again in the subsequent growing season.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paeonia × suffruticosa is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily functioning as a shrub. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 2 m, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it lacks epiphytic tendencies and maintains a stable, non-climbing habit. The presence of woody tissue distinguishes its structural development, supporting its stature as a perennial shrub in its natural habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paeonia × suffruticosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many woody perennial shrubs that optimizes carbon fixation under temperate environmental conditions. The vegetative morphology, particularly the leaf structure, plays a vital role in its physiological efficiency and gas exchange processes. The leaves exhibit specific dimensions that facilitate light interception and transpiration; they possess a mean leaf length of 7.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 5.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, providing a functional surface area that supports the plant's energetic requirements through its C3 photosynthetic mechanisms.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

5.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Paeonia × suffruticosa has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include PAEONOL, Paeoniflorin, Phenols, Tannins.

PAEONOL

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Paeoniflorin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Tannins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Paeonia × suffruticosa has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cardioprotective, Cytoprotective, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardioprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytoprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Paeonia × suffruticosa has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant.

Most Reported Uses