Distribution of the species
It has been found in various, scattered sites. It has been recorded in openings and within beech forests, mainly along the road to the top, as well as on scrub edges with Carpinus orientalis as the dominant species, at relatively low altitudes.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
Species with a relatively small number of individuals. Herbaceous plant, which due to the underground rhizomes has the ability to survive for several years. The stem is reddish and the leaves are branched into many, relatively long leaflets. Its flowers are large, cup-shaped, characterized by intense red color. There are numerous yellow stamens in the middle of the flowers. The fruit is pillose on the outer side and consists of numerous, round seeds, which are either black or red. The red ones are sterile, while the black ones are fertile, which can germinate and give young plants. The name Paeonia (Peony) – or chin as it is known – is due to the mythical Paeon, an old god-doctor, a student of the doctor of the gods Asclepius. Peony healed Hell and Mars on Mount Olympus with a soothing balm after their injury at the battle of Troy. According to the legend, Asclepius killed his student out of envy, but Pluto transformed him into a flower that took his name. Thus, the peony was considered to have medicinal use since antiquity, while the ancient doctors had noticed the difference in the color of the seeds. Dioscorides recommended red seeds for stomach ulcers, and black seeds for nightmares. Instead, Pliny recommended red seeds as a hemostatic drug, while black seeds were used to treat gynecological diseases. Paeonia peregrina prefers soils mainly derived from limestone and occurs at slightly shady locations in maquis formations and forests. It flowers in April and May, depending on the altitude.
Although the size of its population is small, no actions have been observed which can cause its decline. However, it is believed that its uncontrolled collection will reduce its distribution area and its population size.
Conservation status
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Conservation state
It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status. Moreover, it is listed in the “Other Important Plant Species of Greece” by the 92/43/EEC Directive.