Are peony and white peony the same? Is white peony the root of peony flower?

1. Are they the same?

Peony is a plant, while white peony is a traditional Chinese medicine, which is the dried root of the former. It is usually dug out in summer and autumn. After washing it, remove the head, tail and thin roots, put it in boiling water and cook it. After the skin is cooked off, you can take it out and dry it. This medicine can nourish blood and regulate menstruation, while also nourishing yin and stopping sweating, and can soften the liver and relieve pain.

2. Morphological characteristics

1. Roots: The roots of peony are divided into root collar, tuberous roots and fibrous roots. The root collar is the upper part of the root, which is darker in color and has buds growing on it. The tuber grows from the bottom of the root neck, is usually fleshy, relatively thick, and spindle-shaped. It is light yellow-brown on the outside and white on the inside, and usually does not produce sprouts. Fibrous roots grow on the surface of the root tubers and can absorb water and nutrients.

2. Buds: Peony buds grow on the root neck and are also fleshy. They spend the winter underground and will not grow out until spring. When it first comes out, it is red, but then its color changes and it has scales on its surface. The buds are hybrid buds that contain flower buds as well as stems and leaves. It is between 2.5-4 cm long and shaped a bit like a bamboo shoot or the tip of a nose.

3. Leaves: Peony leaves are pinnate compound leaves. Initially there are 4 leaves on both sides, which then gradually decrease, and finally only 3 leaflets are left at the top. The leaves above it are simple, between 20-24 cm in length, yellow-green, green or dark green on the surface and light green on the back. Some leaves are hairy and some are not.

4. Flowers: Peony flowers grow at the top of the stem, usually solitary, but sometimes 2 or 3 flowers grow together. Its original species flowers are white, with a diameter of up to 8-11 cm and 5-13 petals. After cultivation, its flower colors have gradually become richer, including red, pink, yellow, purple, black, etc., which looks very beautiful.