Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Pioen, Pioenroos, Peony

Family: Paeoniaceae (Peony)

Synonym: Paeonia abchasica

Comments: This peony was discovered by Count M. Worontzoff in Abkhazia and named after Mr Wittmann, a Russian who conducted research in the Caucasus at the time. It is endemic to Azerbaijan, Georgia, northern Iran and Turkey and grows in alpine meadows, beech forests and rock slopes up to an altitude of 1700 m. It can grow to a height of 1 m. with stems that are 2 cm. wide. The bowlshaped 10-12 cm. wide flowers are light yellow or cream-coloured and are slightly hidden between the leaves. It flowers from mid to late spring and is hardy up to -15°C.