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1.Paeonia Delavayi — Overview
Paeonia Delavayi, commonly known as Delavay's Tree Peony or Dian Mu Dan, is a striking and resilient deciduous shrub native to the mountainous regions of southwestern China, primarily found in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. This species is a member of the Paeoniaceae family, a lineage celebrated for its ornamental and medicinal members. Unlike herbaceous peonies that die back to the ground each winter, Paeonia Delavayi possesses woody, persistent stems, allowing it to develop into a robust, multi-stemmed bush typically reaching heights of 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) with a similar spread.
Its foliage is deeply dissected, often bipinnate or tripinnate, composed of delicate, lanceolate to ovate leaflets that create a fine, fern-like texture. A defining characteristic is its solitary, often pendulous flowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer. These impressive blossoms, measuring 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) in diameter, exhibit a remarkable color range, from vibrant yellows and oranges to deep reds, reddish-browns, and even bicolored forms, frequently featuring a contrasting blotch at the petal bases.
The flowers emit a subtle, pleasant fragrance, adding to their allure. Following successful pollination, the plant produces distinctive follicles, which split open to reveal dark, glossy seeds. Paeonia Delavayi thrives in well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade, adapting to various conditions within its native high-altitude habitats.
Trusted Scientific References
1. Authoritative external sources for Paeonia Delavayi
1.1 Wikipedia — Paeonia Delavayi
1.2 Kew POWO (Plants of the World Online)
1.3 PubMed — peer-reviewed research
1.4 NCBI Taxonomy Browser
1.5 GBIF — Global Biodiversity
1.6Paeonia Delavayi should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Paeonia Delavayi — Key Features
- ✓ <strong>Woody, deciduous shrub</strong> — Woody, deciduous shrub with persistent stems.
- ✓ <strong>Native to high</strong> — altitude regions of Yunnan and Sichuan, China.
- ✓ <strong>Distinctive deeply dissected, fern</strong> — like foliage.
- ✓ <strong>Produces solitary, often</strong> — Produces solitary, often pendulous flowers in late spring to early summer.
- ✓ <strong>Flowers exhibit a wide range of colors</strong> — yellow, red, orange, bicolored.
- ✓ <strong>Reaches 1</strong> — 2 meters in height and spread, forming a multi-stemmed bush.
- ✓ <strong>Belongs to the</strong> — Belongs to the Paeoniaceae family.
- ✓ <strong>Contains monoterpenoids (e.g.,</strong> — Contains monoterpenoids (e.g., paeoniflorin), flavonoids, and tannins.
- ✓ <strong>Primarily valued as</strong> — Primarily valued as an ornamental plant for its exotic beauty.
- ✓ <strong>Tolerant of various soil conditions if well</strong> — drained.
1.2.Paeonia Delavayi — Quick Summary
- ✓ Paeonia Delavayi is a woody deciduous shrub native to southwestern China.
- ✓ Primarily prized for its striking ornamental value in gardens.
- ✓ Contains phytochemicals like paeoniflorin, common in the medicinal Paeonia genus.
- ✓ Potential health benefits inferred from related species include anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
- ✓ Requires well-drained soil and sun to partial shade for optimal growth.
- ✓ Not extensively studied for direct medicinal use; safety profile based on genus.
2.Paeonia Delavayi — Scientific Identity
3.Paeonia Delavayi — Quick Facts
4.Paeonia Delavayi — Appearance & Identification
5.Paeonia Delavayi — Native Habitat
6.Paeonia Delavayi — Water Requirements
- ✓ Site Selection — Choose a location with full sun to partial shade, ideally morning sun and afternoon shade in hotter climates to protect blooms.
- ✓ Soil Requirements — Plant in well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5-7.5); heavy clay or constantly wet soils should be avoided or amended.
- ✓ Planting Depth — When planting, ensure the graft union (the swollen area where the peony was joined to rootstock) is set just below or at soil level for optimal establishment.
- ✓ Watering — Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first few years after planting, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- ✓ Pruning — Minimal pruning is required; remove dead or damaged wood in late winter/early spring. Spent flowers can be deadheaded to encourage plant vigor.
- ✓ Fertilization — Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, or a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote flowering, avoiding high nitrogen which can encourage foliage over blooms.
- ✓ Winter Protection — In colder zones, apply a layer of mulch around the base in late autumn to protect the roots from extreme freezing and thawing cycles.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 15, 2026
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