Paeonia oreogeton S. Moore, or mountain peony, is becoming rarer in nature. Man has endangered this delicate decorative flower. But it would seem that what is bad in the craving of mankind for the contemplation of beauty? But many cannot just look, they must definitely collect a huge bouquet, trampling down an entire 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 the mountain peony is a plant from the Red Book. But there is hope that humanity will still understand that being the king of nature means being responsible for everything living and inanimate around.
Some general information about peonies
Peony (Paeonia) is the common name given to a genus of perennial herbaceous plants. The genus united not only herbs, but also deciduous shrubs, we are talking about tree-like peonies. About 45 varieties of this plant are known. All of them make up a single family called Peony (Paeoniaceae). Prior to being separated into a separate family, Peony plants were assigned to the Ranunculaceae family.
In scientificcircles are still debated on 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). There are also disputes about how many species grow in the territory of the post-Soviet space. According to various sources, these are 14 or 16 species.
Classification by flower type
We note right away 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 for all garden varieties.
Classification of all varieties of peonies includes indicators of origin and flower shape. According to these features, peonies are divided into 5 groups:
- A simple flower shape with one, maximum two layers of outer petals. No inner crown.
- Semi-double form with three to five rows of outer petals. No inner crown.
- Japanese form (the ancestor of the lactiflora peony), several outer rows (1-2), inside transformed stamens, in the form of narrow reed petals.
- Anemone shape. 1-2 circles of outer petals, shortened stamens inside, the so-called petalodies.
- Terry shape. In this case, most of the volume of the flower is filled with petals that cover the reproductive organs.
Sectionalclassification
A more common classification of peonies was proposed by the biologist Kampularia-Natadze. Wild species according to this classification are divided into 5 sections:
- Moutan DC. These are shrub species common in East Asia.
- Flavonia Kem. - Nath. The name of the section is translated as "Flavones of Kampularia-Natadze". Here are collected 8 species that have a coloring pigment - flavone, found within the Far East and the Caucasus. It is in this section that the Mountain Peony (a plant from the Red Book) is presented.
- Onaepia Lindley. Several herbaceous peonies with fleshy incised leaves. Distributed in western North America. The section consists of two types.
- Paeon DC. An extensive section consisting of 26 varieties. Herbaceous plants with fleshy foliage, along the edges of which there are deep cuts. Distribution area - Caucasus, Asia, Europe, Far East, China, Japan.
- Sternia Ket.- Nath. Here are collected 12 herbaceous species, united by the shape of the leaves. Their shape is thrice-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 (a description of the flower itself will be presented below) is replenished almost every year with new types of flowers and plants that need special protection.
Where the mountain peony is found
Mountain peony within Russia is not too extensiveterritory. It is found in the Khabarovsk Territory in the vicinity of 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 it is found in the vicinity of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky. The territories of Nevelsky, Poronaysky, Tomarinsky and Kholmsky districts can be added to the plant distribution list. This species of wild peonies is found on the islands of Shikotan, Iturup.
Distribution outside Russia includes China, Korean Peninsula, Japan.
Phytocenological preferences of mountain peony
This is a branch of biology 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 broad-leaved 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 scattered growth. Sometimes there are small groups of mountain peonies. The mountain peony does not form carpet glades and extensive thickets.
Appearance of the plant. Stem and leaves
It can be said that everyone represents how a peony looks. But now you know that there are many different species in this genus that have characteristic features. So let's see what it looks likethe mountain peony. It won't take long to describe the appearance.
This variety of peonies belongs to the rhizomatous plants, the rhizome of which spreads horizontally. The height of the stem can vary from 30 cm to 60 cm. The stem itself is solitary, erect and somewhat ribbed. A band 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. They measure about 4 cm and are reddish purple in color.
The leaves of the mountain peony are three times trifoliate. The leaf blade is somewhat rounded, the width in diameter ranges 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 entire, without cuts. The apex 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 describe what the flower looks like so that you can represent the plant more accurately. Peony mountain, a plant from the Red Book, blooms with single, apical cup-shaped flowers. Their diameter is from 6 to 12 cm. The flower rests on three dark green dense concave sepals. The petals are arranged in one row. They can be 5-6 pieces. That is, we are talking about a simple form of a flower, the petals of which have an obovate oblong shape. The petals are creamy white in color. Most often, a mountain peony, a photo of which can be taken in the wild,exactly that color. In rare cases, you can find 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 their width is 4 cm. There are about 60 short stamens in the central part. Their length does not exceed 2 cm. On top of the stamen there is a bright yellow anther, and the filament itself is white with a purple base. Most often there is 1 pistil in a flower, but occasionally there can be 2-3 of them.
Description of fruit and seeds
The fruit of a mountain peony that develops after flowering, single leaf. Occasionally there may be 2-3 leaflets. The length of the fruit is up to 6 cm. The leaflet itself is naked, has a greenish-violet color. It opens in an arcuate manner, inside there are dark seeds. Their number is from 4 to 8 pieces. In addition, there may be crimson unfertilized seed buds of the same size inside.
Mountain peony, the photo and description of which are available in this article, begins to bloom in late spring, in the month of May. Fruit ripening occurs by August.
Factors affecting numbers
Mountain peonies suffer greatly because of the irrational attitude of man to nature. We have already talked about the fact that people thoughtlessly pick flowers in the forests. But the plant is put on the brink of survival not only by this factor. Amateur gardeners dig up the rhizomes to plant a beautiful flower in their backyards. The forests in which the mountain peony feels best are being cut down. Often this logging is illegal, poaching, pursuing onlypersonal benefit. In this case, people do not think about the preservation of grassy vegetation at all.
Damage to the number of mountain peony is caused by forest fires, which most often occur due to human negligence. In addition, a serious limiting factor is the agricultural development of territories, which increases the recreational pressure on the forest. This means that human influence can lead to both a slight change 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.
SPNAs (Specially Protected Natural Territories) are organized to protect the species. In these territories, environmental, scientific and cultural work is carried out related to the conservation and increase in the number of mountain peony. Location of protected areas - Primorsky Krai and Sakhalin. There is a complete ban on the collection and digging of plants.
Possibility of cultivation
Mountain peonies are rarely found in private farms. Although growing them vegetatively is quite possible. The main points of cultivation are botanical gardens. They apply a scientific approach to the introduction of an endangered species. For reference: introduction is the relocation of a plant or animal outside its natural habitat.
When gardeningGrowing a mountain peony did not cause any particular difficulties. In a suitable climate, it takes about a month from the beginning of the growing season to flowering. The flower lasts about a week. If the plant produced seeds in the flower bed, then the introduction was successful. The cultivated mountain peony, the photo of which is presented above, is slightly different from the wild-growing ancestor. It has larger flowers, leaves and a more powerful root system. In some cases, the plant may bloom earlier than in the wild. So, for example, when cultivating in the botanical garden of the city of Tashkent, mountain peonies began to bloom not in May, but in mid-April.
