Paeonia lactiflora (See Figure 2-33), a perennial herb of Ranunculaceae, whose roots are used as medicine. The root contains paeoniflorin, hydroxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoyl paeoniflorin, paeonol, β-sitosterol, tannin, a small amount of volatile oil, benzoic acid, resin, starch, fatty oil, calcium oxalate and four triterpenes with unknown structures. The taste is bitter, sour and slightly cold. Has effect in nourishing blood, astringe yin, softening liver and relieving pain. Treat headache, dizziness, chest pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia, spontaneous sweating, night sweats and coronary heart disease caused by blood deficiency and liver hyperactivity. Mainly produced in Zhejiang, Anhui, Sichuan, Shandong and other provinces, in addition, Jiangsu, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi and other provinces are also cultivated. Hangzhou, Zhejiang is called "Hangzhou Bai Mudan", Bozhou, Anhui is called "Shao Bo", and Zhongjiang, Sichuan is called "Chuanshao".

Peony likes sunny, warm and humid climate. It can resist high temperature and cold, and the extreme maximum temperature in summer in Bozhou, Anhui Province can reach 42. 1℃, which can make it over summer. In Northeast China, when the temperature drops to -20℃ in winter, it can be safely wintered by adding cold-proof soil. But afraid of wet water, the rainy season is easy to cause root rot.

Figure 2-33 Plant Morphology of Paeonia lactiflora

1 .cuttlefish 2. Root 3. Remove petals to reveal ovary 4. stamen