Paeonia × suffruticosa

Paeonia × suffruticosa is a name used for a group of cultivars of tree peonies that are the result of hybridisation with species exclusively belonging to the subsection Vaginatae. The common name used in China is mǔdān (Chinese: 牡丹). Plants belonging to this group have been cultivated for millennia in China, initially only as a source of traditional Chinese medicine particularly the skin of its roots (牡丹皮; mǔdān pí). Already early on the plant was also cultivated for its ornamental value, and it is highly revered in Chinese culture.

Paeonia × suffruticosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Paeoniaceae
Genus: Paeonia
Species:
P. × suffruticosa
Binomial name
Paeonia × suffruticosa
Synonyms

Paeonia × moutan Sims[1]

Paeonia suffruticosa (originally Paeonia Moutan Sims) by Abraham Jacobus Wendel, 1868

Genetic analysis

Paeonia suffruticosa is the name used for most tree peony cultivars, but is not a naturally occurring species. So it can be regarded as the name for a man-made hybrid swarm. Genetic analysis has shown that five species of the subsection Vaginatae together make up the parentage of the tree peony cultivars created before World War II. In over three quarters of the almost fifty studied cultivars, the DNA of their chloroplasts is identical to that in Paeonia cathayana, indicating that this species is the original maternal parent. Almost all of the remaining cultivars has chloroplast DNA identical to that in P. qiui, and rarely from P. ostii and partially from Paeonia rotundiloba. In the nuclear DNA however, homology with Paeonia rockii is largest, with lesser contributions from P. qiui, P. ostii, P. cathayana and P. jishanensis. Paeonia decomposita is the only species from the Vaginatae that has not contributed to these cultivars.[2]

Lemoine hybrids

Crossbreeding of yellow-flowered P. delavayi with traditional double-flowered P. suffruticosa cultivars by Victor Lemoine in Nancy has led to the introduction of the color yellow into the cultivated double-flowered tree-peonies. These hybrids are known as the Paeonia × lemoinei group, and include double-flowered ‘Chromatella’ (1928), ‘Alice Harding’ (1935) and semidouble-flowered ‘Sang Lorraine’ (1939). The semi-double, lemon-yellow P. × lemoinei cultivar ‘High Noon’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]

Itoh cultivars

In 1948 horticultulturist Toichi Itoh from Tokyo used pollen from ‘Alice Harding’ to fertilize the herbaceous P. lactiflora ‘Katoden’, which resulted in a new category of peonies, the Itoh or intersectional cultivars. These are herbaceous, have leaves like tree peonies, with many large flowers from late spring to early autumn, and good peony wilt resistance. Some of the early Itoh cultivars are ‘Yellow Crown’, ‘Yellow Dream’, ‘Yellow Emperor’ and ‘Yellow Heaven’.[5]

Cultivated hybrid tree peonies originate from China and its surrounding areas, possessing significant cultural meaning throughout Chinese history. Currently there are about 600 Chinese tree peony cultivars.[6] Since its introduction abroad, a few unique cultivar groups have been bred in France, Britain, the United States, and some other countries.[6] This species is less common in U.S, but it can generally be found in plant nurseries.[7]

Comparison with other peonies
A flower of a tree peony in a garden in Queens, New York City, May 2007

Paeonia suffruticosa, also known as the tree peony, originates from China. Sometimes, people refer to these tree peonies as “Chinese tree peonies.”[8]

Paeonia suffruticosa belongs to the peony family. The most distinctive feature is that Paeonia suffruticosa is a bush or a tree, whereas most peonies are herbaceous. Despite their classification as trees, it is the flowers that attract people's attention. Peonies are generally slow to grow and have flowers that only last briefly and are fragile under weather conditions such as wind, rain or hot temperatures.[7] In comparison, Paeonia suffruticosa, as a tree, survives longer than the rest of the peonies. The woody stems of tree peonies allow the plant to survive in winter.[9] In general, the plant is long-lived, and the flowers bloom longer in the early spring.[7]

Etymology of scientific name

The name Paeonia suffruticosa is derived from two different sources. The genus name Paeonia derives from the name Paeon. In Greek mythology, Paeon was a disciple of the god of medicine, Ascleplus.[8] The species name "suffruticosa" is composed of two parts. The first part "suf-" is only a prefix; the second part "fruticosa", means shrub-like.[8]

Cultivation

In order to propagate the bush, the seeds are collected in June when the seed pods split. They are air-dried for a few days and are then stored in moist soil before planting out during autumn. If the pods are fully dried out, it is more difficult for the seeds to sprout. Seeds that are harvested late or allowed to dry completely will not produce roots until the following spring and then do not send up shoots for another year.[7] Ideally, the plant should be planted in fertile, humus-rich soil with plenty of organic matter (in USDA zones 3 to 8).[7]

Paeonia suffruticosa grows in both full sun to dappled shade.[8] However, the plant blooms best in dappled shade with 3 to 4 hours of sunlight. When grown in full sun, it is essential to provide adequate moisture to the plant.[7] Generally, the tree requires very little pruning, but it is necessary to cut off dead branches, and to cut off any sprouts that are suckers from the herbaceous root stock.[8]

Potential cultivating diseases include Ca. Phytoplasma solani, the causal agent of the Black wood disease of grapevine. This is associated with tree peony yellows disease in China.[10]

Significance in Chinese culture
Tree Peony by Zhao Chang
Mudan by Chen Shizeng

Paeonia suffruticosa has always had an important status in both Chinese politics and culture. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911), the government in 1903 appointed Paeonia suffruticosa as China’s national flower.[11] However, with political shifts and other factors, its title as the national flower was later replaced. In 1929, the plum tree was granted the title of national flower by the government at the time.[11]

Despite its loss of status of being the national flower, Paeonia suffruticosa maintains cultural significance. In China, it is generally known as the “king of flowers”, symbolizing honor, wealth, and aristocracy, as well as love, affection, and feminine beauty.[7] The tree peony has been frequently portrayed in significant Chinese works of literature and art.

China’s debate on the national flower

The People’s Republic of China has not yet chosen a national flower. Potential candidates include Paeonia suffruticosa, as well as the plum blossom, the chrysanthemum, the orchid, and the lotus. Paeonia suffruticosa and the plum blossom are currently the front-runners.[12] Comparisons by cultural importance are inconclusive as to which flower is the most symbolic of China, as all these flowers have been portrayed with roughly equal frequency through centuries of literature and art.[11]

Elections for the national tree and national flower were held in the 1980s and 1994, but both elections ended with no final conclusion.[11] Prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expo, the Chinese government again attempted to determine a national flower. Many Chinese citizens suggested copying the practices of countries such as France, Japan, and Thailand, by selecting two national flowers.[11] 62 scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering have proposed a “dual national flower” plan to name both Paeonia suffruticosa and plum blossom to the position.[12]

With the Olympics and Expo approaching, the ongoing uncertainty over choosing a national flower led to the Chinese government publishing The Recommendation Concerning Setting the Peony and Plum Blossom as National Flowers as Early as Possible. The Recommendation pointed out that the lack of a flower is hindering the expansion of China’s flower culture and industry.[12] This proposal was only one of several potential plans; other plans included choosing one, four, or five national flowers. The five flowers suggestion, known as “One Country, Five Flowers”, proposed establishing Paeonia suffruticosa as the primary national flower, with four supplementary flowers representing each season of the year: the chrysanthemum would represent autumn, the plum blossom would represent winter, the orchid would represent spring, and the lotus would represent summer.[12] Despite the proposals, China was not able to make a decision before the Olympics and Expo. The decision remains undecided.

As medicine

Paeonia suffruticosa has a long history of being used in Chinese medicine. There are more than 1000 Chinese tree peony cultivars with various flower colors and flower forms that have been selected artificially for medicinal uses for more than 2000 years.[6] The root bark, often referred to as Mu Dan Pi or Cortex Moutan, is the main part that is used in Chinese medicine. Mu Dan Pi’s main functions include reducing heat, cooling the blood, improving liver function, and mildly invigorating the blood.[7] Mu Dan Pi of the best quality should be very fragrant, thick, white and starchy.[7] The flower is now mostly cultivated for medicinal uses. Due to over-harvesting, the wild plant is threatened with extinction.[7]

Chemistry

P. suffruticosa contains paeonol, galloyl-paeoniflorin, galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, suffruticoside A, B, C, D and E.[13]

References
  1. "Paeonia × moutan Sims". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2020-08-10.; also: Paeonia moutan Sims ("Paeonia moutan Sims". IPNI. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  2. Zhou, Shi-Liang; Zou, Xin-Hui; Zhou, Zhi-Qin; Liu, Jing; Xu, Chao; Yu, Jing; Wang, Qiang; Zhang, Da-Ming; Wang, Xiao-Quan; Ge, Song; Sang, Tao; Pan, Kai-Yu; Hong, De-Yuan (2014). "Multiple species of wild tree peonies gave rise to the 'king of flowers', Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews". Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Royal Society Publishing. 281 (1797): 20141687. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.1687. PMC 4240985. PMID 25377453.
  3. "RHS Plantfinder - Paeonia × lemoinei 'High Noon'". Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 71. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  5. Pauwels, I.; Vervoort, G. (2009). Pioenen [Peonies] (1: in volle glorie [in full splendor] ed.). Lannoo Uitgeverij. p. 143. ISBN 978-9020965070.
  6. "Hort Science" Applicability of Leaf Morphology and Intersimple Sequence Repeat Markers in Classification of Tree Peony. Suo, Zhi-Li, Wen-ying Li, Juan Yao, Hui-jin Zhang, Zhi-ming Zhang, and Di-xuan Zhao.Hort Science 40 (2005). Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  7. "Jade Institute" Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine Jade Institute. "MuDanPi." Jade Institute. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  8. "Tree Peonies" Tree Peonies. David Beaulieu. About.com Landscaping. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  9. "Paeonia Suffruticosa" Missouri Botanical Garden. "Paeonia suffruticosa - Plant Finder." Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  10. Identification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ Associated with Tree Peony Yellows Disease in China. Ying Gao, Ping-Ping Qiu, Wen-Hao Liu, Wen-Min Su, Shu-Peng Gai, Yuan-Cun Liang and Xiao-Ping Zhu, Journal of Phytopathology, March 2013, Volume 161, Issue 3, pages 197–200, doi:10.1111/jph.12025
  11. "National Flower, Tree, Bird to be Chosen" China Daily. "Environment." National Flower, Tree, Bird to Be Chosen. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  12. "Debate over China's national flower" "Chinese media, advertising, and urban life." Joel Martinsen. Debate over China's national flower. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  13. Yoshikawa, M.; Uchida, E.; Kawaguchi, A.; Kitagawa, I.; Yamahara, J. (1992). "Galloyl-oxypaeoniflorin, suffruticosides A, B, C, and D, five new antioxidative glycosides, and suffruticoside E, A paeonol glycoside, from Chinese moutan cortex". Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 40 (8): 2248–2250. doi:10.1248/cpb.40.2248. PMID 1423794.

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