Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Chinese pioenroos, Peony, 芍药 shao yao

Family: Paeoniaceae (Peony)

Synonym: Paeonia albiflora

Distribution: Tibet tot China en Siberië

Life form: Perennial

Comments: P. lactiflora is endemic to Siberia, China and Tibet. Its natural habitat consists of steppes and thickets. From a horticultural point of view this is the most important herbaceous peony species, because thousands of cultivars originate from it. Wild P. lactiflora plants have erect, glabrous, light-green stems that grow up to a height of 60 cm. Each stem has two or more white, 10 cm. wide flowers with yellow anthers and filaments. The plant flowers from early to mid summer, slightly later than other species. Although they are hardy up to temperatures of 30ºC, they can die if the soil is too wet.