Family Paeoniaceae Scientific name Paeonia rockii Rank Species | Genus Paeonia Higher classification Paeonia sect. Moutan | |
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Similar Peony, Paeonia delavayi, Paeonia ostii, Paeonia ludlowii, Paeonia daurica subsp ml | ||
Rock's peony, a species of tree peony, Paeonia rockii, is a woody species of peony that was named after Joseph Rock. It is one of several species given the vernacular name tree peony, and is native to the mountains of Gansu and adjoining provinces in China. In Chinese, it is known as 紫斑牡丹 (pinyin: zǐbān mǔdān).
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Uses
Paeonia rockii is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Asia and the west. Like Paeonia lactiflora, another Chinese peony species, it is used as a herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine.
Rockii peony features
Paeonia Rockii is known for the obvious black, purple, and brown-red spots at the base of petals. Its main features are:
1. Tall plant, can reach 2-3 m high, crown width 3-4 m.
2. Big and bright flower, the diameter can reach 18-25 cm.
3. Strong fragrance; the smell of one open flower can dominate that of 10 other open flowers from another Peony.
4. Resistance to drought and frost; tolerance of salt and base. Can bear temperatures as low as -43°C; can still grow normally at pH above 7.
Rockii-hybrids
Tree peony hybrids with Paeonia rockii as one parent are called Rockii-hybrids. In China there are several cultivar groups of these hybrids, called Gansu Mudan and Zhongyuan Mudan, or North-West Chinese cultivar group. The European-grown Suffruticosa Group (Paeonia × suffruticosa) also belongs here.