Ranunculacce—Paonia. 21 
varieties are very striking and handsome, though the single 
ones are preferred by some growers. All are very effective 
amongst shrubs and on the margins of plantations. 
1. P. Moutdn (figs. 17 and 18).—A native of China, intro- 
duced towards the end of last century, The only shrubby 
species in cultivation, and the parent of all the beautiful 
varieties called Tree Peeonies. There are double and single 
white, pink, crimson, purple, and striped varieties. This is a 
somewhat tender plant, requiring slight protection in Spring. 
2. P. officindlis.—From this species have sprung many of 
the most familiar crimson, red, and a few white varieties. It 
is usually a taller plant than P. albiflora, which it closely re- 
sembles in some of its forms. The leaves are not so equally 
lobed as in the latter, and the carpels are hairy. South of 
Europe and temperate Asia. 
3. P. albiflora (fig. 19), syn. P. édulis and P. Sinéusis.—A 
native of China and Siberia, normally white-flowered. The 
Fig. 19, Paonia albiflora. (} nat. size.) Fig. 20, Peonia tenuifolia, (4 nat. size.) 
carpels are smooth, and recurved from the base. It is highly 
fragrant, its perfume having been compared to that of the rose. 
Under cultivation it has given birth to pink, crimson, and flesh- 
coloured varieties. This, however, may be ascribed to cross- 
fertilisation with other species. 
