Deciduous shrub, 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m); erect, open habit, thick twigs, has a woody stems that do not die back in winter. Leaves bipinnate, leaflets 5-10 cm long, ovate, 3-5 large teeth or lobes, terminal leaflet 3-lobed, light green above, bluish-green below. Large flower, deep red to pink to white (yellow in some hybrids), basal spot on each petal, often double or semi-double, up to 30 cm across.

Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, sedative, styptic and tonic (root and root bark); antibacterial (plant)

Plants For A Future

Benzoic acid, beta-sitosterol, campesterol, paeoniflorin, paeonolide, paeonoside, tannin (root bark); kaempferol, quercetin (leaves)

An extract of the plant has antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, Bacillus dysenteriae, Typhoid bacillus, Paratyphoid bacillus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Haemophilus pertussis and Streptococcus. The plant is used internally in the treatment of fevers, boils, menstrual disorders, nosebleeds, ulcers, irritability and gastro-intestinal infections. A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy, and as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 739, CRC Press July 2002.