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Western Peony - Paeonia brownii


Family: Paeoniaceae - Peony family Genus Common Name: Peony Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Herb
Paeonia brownii - Western Peony. Paeonia brownii is one of two peonies native to the United States. The other one is Paeonia californica and is found only in California. Paeonia brownii, named for English botanist Robert Brown (1773-1858), is found in that state as well as the 7 northwestern states. There are a couple of non-native Paeonia species that have naturalized in a few eastern states. Paeonia is the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae.

Found in:
CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

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Paeonia brownii

Distribution of Paeonia brownii in the United States and Canada:
USDA Map temporarily unavailable.
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 Jan 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

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Site: Custer County, ID Date: 2010-June-12Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D60
The blossoms of Paeonia brownii nod down among the foliage, making it somewhat difficult to see anything other than the sepals unless you get down to ground level. The sepals and petals are frequently maroon with yellowish margins as in this photo.
Paeonia brownii
Site: Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID Date: 2010-June-15Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
The petals are sometimes bronze. The plants with lighter-colored blossoms may also have yellow-margined leaves.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Paeonia brownii
Site: Custer County, ID Date: 2010-June-12Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
The plant grows to about 18 or 20 inches tall.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Paeonia brownii
Site: Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID Date: 2011-June-17Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The plants with darker blossoms may have maroon-margined leaves.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Paeonia brownii
References used for identification and information:
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Paeonia brownii initially published on USWildflowers.com 2013-02-13; Updated 2017-03-02

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