Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Pioen, Pioenroos, Peony

Family: Paeoniaceae (Peony)

Comments: Grows in the wild in the Ionic islands, western Central Greece, Calabria in Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. It was named P. russoi in 1816 by A. de Bivona Bernardi, in honour of Abbé Joachimi Russo of the monastery in Monte Casino. This name led to confusion and the plant was alternately called P. russii and P. russoi. The 7-12 cm. wide flowers have 5-9 magenta-purple petals (usually 6-8). It is one of the first peonies to flower, in mid spring. It is hardy up to -15°C.