Paeonia oreogeton S. Moore, or mountain peony, is less common in nature. Man has endangered this delicate decorative flower. But it would seem that it is bad in the desire of mankind to contemplate the beautiful? But many can’t just watch, they need to collect a huge bouquet, trampling a whole clearing. And they are not embarrassed that in an hour they will throw out the collected splendor, well, do not drag wilted flowers home. And then you have to tell that Mountain Peony is a plant from the Red Book. But there is a hope that humanity will nevertheless understand that to be the king of nature means to be responsible for everything living and nonliving around.
Some general information about peonies
Peony (Paeonia) - the general name given to the genus of perennial herbaceous plants. The genus united not only herbs, but also deciduous shrubs, we are talking about tree-shaped peonies. About 45 varieties of this plant are known. All of them form a single family called Peony (Paeoniaceae). Before being separated into a separate family, Peony plants were included in the Lyutikov family.
In scientific circles, there are still disputes over the botanical characteristics of peonies. It is believed that there are from 40 to 47 natural forms (among which there is a mountain peony, a plant from the Red Book, a description of which will be given in more detail). Disputes are also going on about how many species grow in the territory of the post-Soviet space. According to various sources, these are 14 or 16 species.
Flower type classification
Immediately, we note that this classification is more suitable for garden rather than wild species of peonies. But still it’s worth bringing it so that you understand the difference in the shape of the flowers. Moreover, wild peonies have become the starting point of all garden varieties.
The classification of all varieties of peonies includes indicators of origin and flower shape. According to these signs, peonies are divided into 5 groups:
- A simple flower shape having one, maximum two layers of outer petals. Without an inner crown.
- Semi-double form, having from three to five rows of outer petals. Without an inner crown.
- The Japanese form (the ancestor is milky-flowered peony), several outer rows (1-2), inside the transformed stamens, in the form of narrow reed petals.
- Anemone shape. 1-2 circles of external petals, inside the shortened stamens, the so-called petalodia.
- Terry uniform. In this case, most of the flower’s volume is filled with petals that cover the reproductive organs.
Sectional classification
A more common classification of pions was proposed by the biologist Kampularia-Natadze. Wild species according to this classification are divided into 5 sections:
- Moutan DC. These are shrubby species common in East Asia.
- Flavonia Kem. - Nath. The section name is translated as "Flavones of Kampularia-Natadze". Here are 8 species that have a coloring pigment - flavon, which is found within the Far East and the Caucasus. It is in this section that Peony Mountain (a plant from the Red Book) is presented.
- Onaepia Lindley. A few grassy peonies with fleshy, incised leaves. Distributed in western North America. The section consists of two types.
- Paeon DC. Extensive section consisting of 26 varieties. Grassy plants with fleshy foliage, along the edges of which are deep incisions. Distribution territory - Caucasus, Asia, Europe, Far East, China, Japan.
- Sternia Ket. - Nath. Here are collected 12 herbaceous species, combined in the form of leaves. Their shape is triple-triple with deep incisions or pinnately dissected with linear lobes.
Now, after general information about peonies and their classification, it's time to talk more about the endangered species - Mountain Peony. The Red Book (the description of the flower itself will be presented below) is updated almost every year with new types of flowers and plants that need special protection.
Where does the mountain peony meet
Mountain peony within Russia occupies not too vast territories. It is found in the Khabarovsk Territory near the city of Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, in the Primorsky Territory, in the vicinity of Vladivostok, as well as in the Khasansky, Shkotovsky and Tetyukhinsky districts. Another mountain peony grows in the Sakhalin region. Here he is found in the vicinity of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky. In the distribution list of the plant, you can add the territory of Nevelsky, Poronaysky, Tomarinsky and Kholm districts. This species of wild peonies is found on the islands of Shikotan, Iturup.
Distribution outside Russia includes China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan.
Phytocenological preferences of a mountain peony
This is a biology section that studies the combination of elements of botany, geography, and environmental factors. Science studies the totality of plant communities and the dynamics of their development.
Mountain peony prefers mixed forests with coniferous and deciduous vegetation, as well as deciduous forests. It grows on the gentle slopes of hills or in shady places along river floodplains.
The species is characterized by a single dispersed growth. Sometimes there are small groups of mountain peonies. The mountain peony does not form carpet glades and vast thickets.
The appearance of the plant. Stem and leaves
We can say that everything looks like a peony. But now you know that in this genus there are many different species that have characteristic features. Therefore, imagine what a mountain peony looks like. Description of the appearance does not take much time.
This variety of peonies belongs to the brush roots, the rhizome of which extends horizontally. The height of the stem can range from 30 cm to 60 cm. The stem itself is single, erect and somewhat ribbed. A strip of purple anthocyanin pigment is visible along the ribs. Such stems are called simple. At the base of the stem there are several large integumentary scales. Their size is about 4 cm, and the color is reddish-purple.
The leaves of the mountain peony are three times triple. The leaf blade is somewhat rounded, the width varies from 18 to 28 cm. Considering the mountain peony, the description of the leaves can be supplemented by the fact that they have an oval, obovate shape. The leaf is whole, without cuts. The top of the leaf has a short sudden pointed point. The color of the foliage of the plant is dark green, with feathery red-violet veins.
Flower description
Now it's time to tell what the flower looks like, so that you can imagine the plant more accurately. Mountain peony, a plant from the Red Book, blooms in single, apical cup-shaped flowers. Their diameter is from 6 to 12 cm. The flower rests on three dark green dense concave sepals. Petals are arranged in one row. There may be 5-6 pieces. That is, we are talking about the simple shape of a flower whose petals have an obovate oblong shape. For the petals, a white-cream color is characteristic. Most often, the mountain peony, the photo of which can be made in the wild, is of this color. In rare cases, you can meet a plant of this species with a pale pink flower. The edges of the petals are slightly wavy. Their length is about 6 cm and width is 4 cm. About 60 short stamens are located in the central part. Their length does not exceed 2 cm. On top of the stamen there is a bright yellow anther, and the stamen filament itself is white with a purple base. Most often, there is 1 pistil in the flower, but occasionally they can be 2-3 pcs.
Description of the fruit and seeds
The fruit of the mountain peony, which develops after flowering, is univalent. Occasionally, 2-3 leaflets may occur. The fruit is up to 6 cm long. The leaflet itself is naked, has a greenish-purple color. It opens in an arcuate shape, dark seeds are inside. Their number is from 4 to 8 pcs. In addition, there may be raspberry unfertilized seed buds of the same size inside.
The mountain peony, the photo and description of which are in this article, begins to bloom in late spring, in the month of May. Ripening occurs by August.
Factors Affecting Abundance
Mountain peonies suffer greatly due to the irrational attitude of man to nature. The fact that people thoughtlessly pick flowers in the forests, we have already said. But the plant is on the brink of survival, not only this factor. Amateur gardeners dig up rhizomes to plant a beautiful flower on personal plots. Forests in which the mountain peony feels best are cut down. Often this felling is illegal, poaching, pursuing only personal gain. In this case, people do not think about the preservation of grassy vegetation at all.
Damage to the number of mountain peonies is caused by forest fires, which most often occur due to human negligence. In addition, agricultural development of the territories, which increases the recreational load on the forest, is a serious limiting factor. This means that human influence can lead to both insignificant changes in the forest landscape and complete degradation of the ecosystem, which is a disaster for nature.
Security measures
We have already said many times that the mountain peony is a plant from the Red Book. The description of this endangered species was made back in 1984, and then it was transferred from the Red Book of the USSR to the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
To protect the species, protected areas (specially protected natural areas) are organized. In these territories, environmental, scientific and cultural works are carried out related to the conservation and increase in the number of mountain peonies. Location of protected areas - Primorsky Krai and Sakhalin. There is a complete ban on the collection and digging of plants.
