Male peony - Paeonia mascula (L.) Mill. subsp. mascula - Παιώνια - Αλουπόχορτον, Ψατζή - Cyprus

The Balkan, Wild or Male peony (Paeonia mascula, synonym Paeonia corallina) is a species of peony. A herbaceous perennial plant 0.5–1.5 metres tall, the Wild Peony has leaves which are divided into three segments and large red flowers in late spring and early summer. Native to China, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon and Israel this wild peony has become naturalised on two small islands in the UK.

Wild peonies are at risk in their natural environment due to the demand from private collectors and there is a significant trade in wild Peonia mascula from Turkey.

Ideal conditions are light (sandy) soils although and most peonies can grow in heavy clay soil. The Wild Peony prefers acid and neutral soils, can grow in semi-shade and tolerates drought.

The Wild Peony was introduced to the island of Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel, possibly by monks. 37 plants were taken to nearby Flat Holm island by Frank Harris, the farmer at the time, in the 1930s, many of which died during the World War II occupation and fortification of the island. One remaining plant was reintroduced by the Flat Holm Warden in 1982 and is protected by fencing near the path to the lighthouse. A few plants grown from seed also survive in the farmhouse garden.

Paeonia mascula flowers for just one week of the year normally in May or June and the seedpods (at one stage referred to as jester's hats develop during the summer before bursting open to scatter seeds in August or September. The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.

The islands are the only known place in the UK where the Wild Peony has naturalised. The likely reason for this is that the islands provide a habitat which is similar to the Mediterranean islands where the plants originate from and the relative isolation allows them some protection.

The roots of Wild Peony were ground to a powder and used to treat colds and sore throats

The peony is named after Paeon, a physician to the gods who obtained the plant on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. According to the legend, the peony needed to be left alone and punished those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years. Once established, however, it blooms each year for decades
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Photos Kyperounta 9/5/2011 by George Konstantinou