P L A T E CGCLXXin.
P E O N I A SUFFRUTICOSA.
Shrubby Pwomj.
C L A S S Xin. o 11 D E R V.
POLYJNDRIA PENTJGYNIA. Many Chives. Five Pointals.'
E S S E N T I A L GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX S-phyUus. Pétala 5.
sulae polyspermae.
Styli 0. CUP 5-leaved. Petals 5.
PjEonia, foliolis subtus glaucis et yillosisj cap-
• sulis sericeis, caule suffruticoso.
sules many-seeded.
Pointai none. Cap-
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
P^ONY, with leaflets glaucous and villose beneatli,
capsules silky, and shrubby stem.
P j E O N i a officinalis. Thunl. Fl. Jap. 230.—L o u r e i r . Fl. Cochin. 1. 343.
D e s c k i p t i o . SufFrutex 3-pedalis et ultra, ramosus. iami erectiusculi, cortice subfusco ; ramulis
erectis Isvibus, apicem versus viridibus, pauloque pubescentibus. Folia alterna, bipinnata, pedalia
et ultra, horizontalia ; superiora adscendentia ; petiolis amplexicaulibus, canaliculatis, villis
perpaucis saepe instructis, canalicula petiolorum semper laetissime rosea : pinnae 2—i , petiolatce ;
pinnulae saepe 3, sessiles, infiraae oppositae, tertia terminalis ; omnes basi oblique cuneatae, superne
irregulariter inciso-dentatae ; supra virides, venosas, nudae, subtus glaucae, nervosae, villosae.
Flores speciosissimi ut in afiìnibns, sed in nostris exemplaribus pieni, rosei. Capsulad sericeopubescentes.
T h e Paeonia suffmticosa is perhaps the most showy and desirable species, in this short but magnificent
genus of plants. To the strilcing peculiarity of a shrubby stem, it unites the advantages of
superior size ; a profusion of very large flowers ; and a facility of culture which ensures an annual
succession of them : no wonder, therefore, that it is assiduously sought after by all who admire the
beauties of Flora.
The shrubby Paeony was introduced into Britain in tlie year 1794, from China ; where, as well as
in Japan, many varieties of it are said to be common in almost every garden. We conceive it to be
extremely distinct as a species, from the P. oflScinalis of all authors except Thunberg and Loureiro :
yet Professor Willdenow has not enumerated it in his edition of Species Plantarum. Although introduced
so long since, it is still rare j and must be treated as a very hardy green-house plant : indeed it
succeeds best when planted in the ea/th and protected by a glass case ; is propagated by slipping the
roots, and by cuttings. All the plants hitherto received from China have double flowers ; and among
tliem there are two varieties ; the rosy one here figured, from the Clapham collection ; and another
with purplish petals, the bases of which are of a still deeper colour. Flowers in April, making a
very fine appearance ; but is nearly scentless.
liri
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